2000 Coach Clair Bates

2000 Floyd Sagley

2000 Harry O. Hamm

2000 Iverson Riggs

2000 J.J Izard

2000 Joan Crawford

2001 Francis Garoutte

2001 James E. Kentucky

2001 Mark Douglas

2002 Allen Meadors

2002 Dr. Louis Peer

2002 Dwight Paddlefoot

2002 Jackie Brasuell

2002 James R. Tate

2002 Jimmy Collier

2002 Robert E Gene Bell

2003 Earl Robinson

2003 Grace Barlow

2003 Allen Ray Toothaker

2003 Brad Thomas

2003 Callie Jo Harmon Daniels

2003 Harley C. Davis

2003 Maurice Sagely

2004 Dayna Shultz Black

2004 Duke Shelby Breedlove

2004 Frank Vines

2004 Fred O. Williams

2004 John M. Riggs

2004 Maris Watkins Shultz

2004 Virgle Homer Coleman

2005 Clara Bertho Eno

2005 Gary Autry

2005 Harry Vandergriff

2005 James W. Lemley

2005 W.N. Shaver III

2006 Doris Stevenson West

2006 Glenn F. Briley

2006 Martha Dollar Efurd

2006 Rex L. Yerby

2006 Todd A. Williams

2007 CJ. Franklin, Jr

2007 Linda Holt May

2008 Bobby Parks

2008 Joe Ray JR Jones

2008 Richard Lee Mulloy

2009 Charles E. Peer

2009 Dorothy A. Greig

2009 John D. Rotert

2010 Robert E. Robinson

2011 Dr. Clarence R. Williams

2011 Martha Howell

2012 Dr. Lonnie Myers

2012 Paul Gant

2012 Tim Knittig

2013 Dr. Angie Evans Benham

2014 Dave Williams

2014 Dr. J.B. Hays

2015 Jimmy Bell

2016 Charlie James

2016 David Clegg

2016 Ed Yeager

2016 James Stafford Reed M.D

2016 Kenneth Fry

2016 Michael W. Norwood SR

2016 Mike Hurst

2017 Delores Dee Cox

2017 John Wikman

2017 Robert (Bob) David Freeman

2018 Charles E. Martin

2018 Dan R. Ballard

2018 Mary Beth Duncan

2018 Quince H. Coleman

2018 Sharon Glass Daniels

2019 Debbie Thomas

2019 Gary Deffenbaugh

2019 Philip Brodie

2022 Holly Brown

2023 Teddy McMurray

2023 Col George T. Hudgens

 

Coach Clair Bates


Fort Smith High School Graduate, 1932
Attended Fort Smith Junior College and was a member of the last football team in 1934
Won a Junior High State Basketball Championship in 1948 for Van Buren
Coached 11 District Champions and 13 All-State players in Football
In Boys Basketball he coached 2 State Champions and 2 State Runner-Ups
In Boys Golf he coached 4 State Titles and 2 Runner-Up spots
In Girls Basketball he coached 5 State Champions
From 1950-51, his teams had a 60 game winning streak
From 1953-55, his teams had an 86 game winning streak
First Coach to produce a boys and girls state championship teams in the same year, 1950
First Coach of the West Team in Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game, 1956
First Coach to serve on both basketball and football AHSCA All-Star coaching staffs
In 1979, the Van Buren High School gymnasium was named in honor of him
Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1987
Inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995 (inaugural year)

Floyd Sagely

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Sagely


Van Buren High School Graduate, 1950
All-State Football and Basketball player
Member of the 1950 State Basketball Championship team
Most Valuable Player of the State Tournament
Went on to play and started in all Football and Basketball games at the University of Arkansas from 1950-1954
Led the Southwest Conference in pass receiving in 1953
Selected to the 1953 All-SWC team
Selected as Second-Team, All-American in 1953
Played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Cardinals
Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1985
Inducted into the University Hall of Honor for football and basketball in 1997
Served in the US Army during the Korean War (All-Army District Team)
Helped form Arkansas’ first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter


Harry O. Hamm

Education
Attended Broadway School in Van Buren until 1915
Credited Van Buren teachers for his success
Served in the US Navy for 2 years

Career
Licensed Attorney in the State of Arkansas
Started Dale Carnegie courses in California in 1946 and later in Nevada


Honors and Achievements
Outstanding contributions of hand bells, organs, and other furnishings for a number of churches including Heritage United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church
Erected monuments at the County Courthouse in Van Buren and at the Municipal Complex – one monument to Cyrus Adler, an educator, another monument to The Mothers of the Word, and a third monument to The Teachers of the World

Harry O. Hamm left his estate to establish an educational foundation for scholarships to Van Buren High School Graduates. The individual scholarship awards are for up to $8,000 per academic year for up to five years.


Iverson Riggs

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1935
Attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism
Served in the US Army during World War II

Career
Publisher of The Van Buren Shopping News in 1954, which later became the Crawford County Courier
Sports Editor for the Courier until his death
Reporter of Pointer sports since 1954

Civic Activities
Sponsor/Manager of the Courier American Legion Baseball team and coached the team for several years
Play-by-play announcer for the VBHS basketball games and football games
Founder and Charter member of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce
Member of the Board of Directors for the Van Buren Boys Club
Member of the Van Buren City Council
Member of the Van Buren School Board and instrumental in the effort to see Coach Clair Bates in the Arkansas Hall of Fame

Honors
Chamber of Commerce, “Man of the Year”
The Crawford County Basketball Tournament named in his honor
The Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” is named in his honor
The Field of Dreams is named in his honor
The Blakemore Field Press Box is named in his honor


J. J. Izard

Civic Activities
Served on the Van Buren School Board for 46 years, 44 years as President
Charter member of the Van Buren Lion’s Club
President of the Rotary Club and attendee of 1200 consecutive meetings
Member of the Van Buren First Baptist Church from 1901-1976
Served as Secretary of Deacons and Church Treasurer for 55 years
Sunday School Superintendent from 1904-1976
Supported all Van Buren Athletic Programs

Career
Bookkeeper and sales clerk in a mercantile store in Van Buren
President of the People’s Bank from 1920-1976

Honors
For his 75 years of service to First Baptist Church, a new complex of the church was named “J.J. Izard Fellowship Hall”
J.J. Izard Elementary School was named in his honor


Joan Crawford

Van Buren High School Graduate, 1955
All-State Basketball player and Captain in 1953, 1954 and 1955
State Championship Team in 1953, 1954 and 1955
Scholarship to Clarendon Junior College in Texas, 1957
All-American at Clarendon Junior College
Joined Women’s Amateur Basketball Power Nashville BC in Tennessee
Won 10 AAU National Championships and was named All-American each year
Selected as Most Valuable Player from 1962-64 in the National Tournament
Joined several U.S. International teams, where she led the U.S. to Gold Medals in the Pan-Am games in 1959 and 1963.
She was the leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per game
Selected to the AAU Hall of Fame in 1966
Selected to the Helms Hall of Fame in 1967
Selected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1978
Selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997
Wikipage

Francis Garroutte


Van Buren High School Graduate, 1951
All-State Basketball player in 1950 and 1951
State Championship Team in 1950 and 1951
Holds a record for 62 points in a game vs. Greenbrier in the Joe T. Robinson Invitational Tournament (92-62)
After High School, she played for the Hazel Walker All-Star Team, where she became known as “Goose”
Played in the LPGA Tour for one year
Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1991


James E. “Kentucky” West

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1946
All-State basketball on State Quarter Finalist; #2 distance runner in the 880
Member of the El Toro Marines basketball team in 1946-47 (11th Naval District Champions, 3rd place in All Navy and Marine Tournament)
Attended the University of Arkansas from 1947-52
Lettered in basketball, track and cross country
Graduated from the University of Arkansas Law School in 1952, 2nd in class

Accomplishments
#2 distance runner in the Southwest Conference in Track and Cross Country
2-mile run Record Holder
4-mile relay Record-Setter
Distance medley Record-Setter
Southwest Conference Champion in 1950 and 1951, 2nd place runner

Career
Managing Partner with Daily, West, Core, Coffman & Canfield (now of counsel)
He was the first and only Graduate of Van Buren to be President of the Arkansas Bar Association


Mark Douglas

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1978
Rushed for 1,242 yards his Senior Year.
High School All-American, All-South, Associated Press All-Super Team, Southwest Times Record All-Area Team, All-State, and a member of the All-Star Football team
Member of the 1977 State Championship Football Team
Bachelors of Science in Education, Physical Education, University of Arkansas, 1983
Member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
Football Scholarship to the University of Arkansas
Lettered in football from 1979-1982
Sugar Bowl (1979)
Hall of Fame Bowl (1980)
Gator Bowl (1981)
Bluebonnet Bowl (1982 – exemplary performance certificate)
Masters of Science in Recreational Administration, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, 1987

Career
Program Director for Millcreek of Arkansas in Fordyce, AR
Areas of Expertise are Administration, Training and Recruitment, Team Building Dynamics, and Therapeutic Recreation


Allen C. Meadors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Meadors

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1965
He played football, basketball, and was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council
An Honor Graduate and School’s Who’s Who
Bachelors of Business Administration, University of Central Arkansas, 1969
PhD in Administration and Education, Southern Illinois University, 1991

Career
College Educator and Administrator at Southern Illinois University, University of Texas, University of Oklahoma and Eastern Washington University
CEO and Dean at Penn State Altoona
Chancellor at University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Author of over 50 articles and manuals and a National consultant and lecturer in the area of health care


Louis H. Peer

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1940
Member of the first VBHS Band and Student Manager of the Football team (stored the sideline chains and markers in his family’s garage between games)

Civic Achievements
Van Buren Urban Renewal Commission chairman (Main Street designated as a National Historic District, secured Federal Urban Renewal Grant, led in the restoration of the King Opera House and Frisco Depot)
Helped organize the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce (3rd President)
Helped create Van Buren Planning Commission
Served on the Board that created the Industrial Park area
Helped establish the City Park, served as Chairman of Park Commission from 1958-68
Served on the Crawford County Memorial Hospital governing board for 15 years
Helped obtain a National Guard Unit in Van Buren
One-Term Chairman of the Van Buren Historical District Commission
Original organizer of the King Opera House Players in 1979 and Board member
Board member of the Crawford County Art Association
Member of the Van Buren Rotary Club since 1950, President in 1952-53
Heritage United Methodist Church Sunday School Teacher and member of many local and district commissions
Boys Scouts of America local cub master
Vice-Chairman of Butterfield Trail District
Vision 2010 Committee member and Main Street Van Buren Committee member
Recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award (AARP)
The Van Buren City Park is named in his honor as the Dr. Louis Peer Memorial Park


Dwight “Paddlefoot” Sloan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Sloan


Van Buren High School Graduate, 1933
Sophomore Member of the 1930 State Football Championship team. The 1930 team went undefeated and owns the largest margin of victory in school history with a 120-0 win over Bentonville and a 102-0 win over the University High School of Fayetteville
Scored 148 points on the 1931 team that went 9-2
Scored 150 points on the 1932 team that went 9-1
Played football at the University of Arkansas from 1933-1938
A member of the 1936 Southwest Conference Championship Team
First Razorback to play in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game in San Francisco
Played Quarterback in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals and the Detroit Lions from 1938-1940
Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1988


Jackie Brasuell


Van Buren High School Graduate, 1962
A four sport letterman in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track
Captain of the football team, where he rushed for 981 yards, passed for 476 yards and 4 TD’s
All-State, All-District, and Most Valuable Back in the Region
All-District in Basketball and Baseball
Played football for the University of Arkansas, was a walk-on and earned a scholarship
All-Southwest Conference, 1963, 1965
Leading rusher and second leading pass receiver on the 1964 National Championship team that went 11-0
Leading kick-off returner and second in the nation in punt returns in 1965
Sports Writers of American Academic All-American Team, 1965
Honorable Mention AP All-American, 1965
Record Holder for best average per kick-off return for the Razorbacks, 1963
Chism Reed Award as outstanding Senior athlete
Finished his Razorback career with 795 rushing yards, 271 receiving yards, 72 tackles and two interceptions
Nominated and finished second in voting for the Razorback All-Century Team
In 2007, Jackie was voted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor


James R. Tate

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1948
Attended Sophia Meyer Elementary School and was the Band Mascot at age 5
President of the National Honor Society
All-District Football End in 1947
Member of 2 District Championship teams and a Senior team with 30 consecutive wins and 3 Conference Titles in Basketball
Master’s in Education, University of Arkansas, 1954
Served in the Military to 1956

Career
Van Buren High School Assistant Coach and Math instructor for 7 years
VBHS Principal for 4 years
VBSD Assistant Superintendent for 3 years
VBSD Superintendent for 16 years

Accomplishments
Earned the Arkansas Department of Education’s Outstanding Leadership recognition in 1978
James R. Tate Elementary School was named in his honor in 1984


Jimmy Collier


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Collier


Van Buren High School Graduate, 1957
All-State Football
All-District Basketball
High School Record Holder in Pole Vault
Played Football at the University of Arkansas, 1958-1961
All-Southwest Conference First Team, 1960
All-Southwest Conference First Team, 1961
Most Valuable Player in the Southwest Conference, “Dallas Morning News,” 1961
Played in the following College Bowl games:
Gator Bowl, 1959
Cotton Bowl, 1960
Sugar Bowl, 1961
US Bowl, Washington D.C. (Inaugural Bowl), 1961
Razorback Freshman Basketball Letterman
Razorback two year Varsity Track Letterman

Professional Career
Drafted in the 7th round of the National Football League in 1961 with the New York Giants
Scored the only New York Giants touchdown in the 1962 World Championship Game
Played for the Washington Redskins in 1963

Coaching Career
In 1965, he became the Receivers Coach for the LSU Tigers until 1980
Coached in the following College Bowl games:
Cotton Bowl, 1966
Sugar Bowl, 1968
Peach Bowl, 1969
Orange Bowl, 1971
Sun Bowl, 1971
Bluebonnet Bowl, 1972
Orange Bowl, 1974
Sun Bowl, 1977
Liberty Bowl, 1978
Tangerine Bowl, 1979


Robert E. “Gene” Bell

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1949
All-State basketball
Served in the US Navy from 1951-55

Career
Vice President and Cashier for People’s Bank
Mayor of Van Buren from 1978-1990

Civic Activities
Deacon at Van Buren First Baptist Church
Executive Board at Arkansas Baptist State Convention and its Board of Directors
Past President of the Crawford County Board of Realtors; “Realtor of the Year” in 1971
Past President and member of the Lion’s Club
Board of Directors and Dept. District Governor of Lion’s Club
Past Board member and Treasurer of Van Buren Boys Club
Member of the VB United Way fund drive and past Chairman of the Board
Van Buren School Board member and Secretary for 5 years
Recipient of the Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year Award in 1991


Earl Robinson

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1945
Attended Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas
Served in the US Navy during World War II

Career
President of Robinson-Bell, Inc. a real estate firm in Van Buren

Accomplishments
Instrumental in organizing, establishing and obtaining the Grant funds for building the Van Buren Boys Club
Helped establish and build Cedars Golf Course and several local residential areas

Civic Activities
Served on the Board of Trustees of Ouachita Baptist University and was a member of the Development Committee and Board of Chambers
Served as United Way President
Lions Club member for 30 years
Active member of Van Buren First Baptist Church, serving on every building committee for the past 50 years, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and he was instrumental in organizing the Tornado Relief Ministry

Awards and Honors
Optimist Club Outstanding Youth Work in 1968
Ouachita Baptist University Purple and Gold Heart Award for Outstanding Work in Recruiting Students in 1979
Westark Community College Professional Service Award in 1992
Living Legends Award in 1995
Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year in 2001
Dr. Louis Peer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001


Allen Ray Toothaker

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1946
Served in the US Navy on the battleship USS Iowa in 1946
Attended Oklahoma Technical School

Career
Returned to Van Buren as a salesman at Crawford County Ford Company
Became Mayor of Van Buren at age 29 on the platform, “Fairness to All”
Mayor of Van Buren from 1958-1979

Accomplishments
Established the first nine-member City Planning Commission, and the first five-member Park Commission
City Improvement Plan approved in 1958
Purchased acreage for VB City Park
Secured firefighting equipment and city road equipment
Annexed the Industrial Park area
Instrumental in the COOP Soybean Processing Plant locating in VB
Took the first swim in the VB Public Swimming Pool upon its completion in 1960
Part of HUD approved Program for Community Improvement, the organization of the VB Housing Authority, and Vista Acres was annexed to the city in 1960
A grant was approved for the establishment of the Van Buren Boys Club in 1967 (dedicated in 1968)
From 1968-70, the Industrial Park was expanded to include Farmland Industries, CAPCO, Diamond Shamrock, and in 1971 grant funds were secured for the Van Buren City Complex
Van Buren was the first city to receive a $600,000 HUD Grant in 1975
Named Rotary “Man of the Year” in 1966
United Way Board President in 1969
A voting delegate during the 1971 48th Congress of Cities Convention


Brad Thomas

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1972
All-State and All-District Football Player, where he rushed for 1,008 yards, 11 touchdowns his Senior year
Played on the Conference Co-Champion team
Pointer Offensive Player of the Year in 1969 and 1971
Played in the All-Star game in 1971
All-District Basketball Player in 1972
All-District in Track in 1972, where he held the 220 yard dash record, 440 relay, 100 yard dash and 880 relay
Scholarship to play Football at the University of Arkansas from 1972-76
Leading Rusher for the Freshman Team, 308 yards on 75 carries
Played on the 1975 Southwest Conference Champion team (10-2)
1976 Cotton Bowl winner vs. Georgia
Was #2 in the Secondary with 55 tackles (41 solo), 5 pass knockdowns, 1 fumble recovery in his Senior year
Arkansas nominee for Kern Tip Award for Leadership and Grades and earning “Winning Performance” recognition in 1975

Career
State Farm Insurance Agent

Civic Activities:
United Way of Fort Smith volunteer
“Day of Caring” Award


Callie Jo Harmon Daniels

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1985
Valedictorian
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education, University of the Ozarks, 1989
Masters in Applied Mathematics/Statistics, University of Missouri-Rolla, 1991
Masters +36 hours in Adult Education/Research Methods/Web Development, University of Missouri-St. Louis, 2002

Career
Teaching Assistant in the Math Dept. of the University of Missouri-Rolla, 1989-91
Associate Professor of Mathematics/Statistics at St. Charles Community College

Awards and Recognitions
Pointerette Basketball Player
Press Argus Crawford County Player of the Year
All-District, All-Region; Southwest Times Record “Top 5”
Homecoming Queen
4AAA Tennis Singles Champion
Also, a Pointerette Volleyball and Track athlete
FCA President; FBLA, MAT, & NHS Vice-President
Girls State
Chamber of Commerce “Outstanding Students” award
Member of Who’s Who Among Teachers at America’s Universities and Colleges
University of the Ozarks “Young Alumni Award” for continued service and participation on the Alumni Board of Directors
National Collegiate Basketball Merit Award
Academic All-American
All-Time Assist Leader in Basketball
National Dean’s List
American College Athletes Hall of Fame
Summa Cum Laude graduate
All-AIC Tennis


Grace Barlow

Education
Charleston High School Graduate
University of Arkansas Graduate

Career
Taught English for 43 years at VBHS
Served as Class Sponsor, Play Sponsor, and Chair of the English Dept.
Served the State by assisting on numerous North Central Accreditation Evaluation Committees
Encouraged many students to attend college and was instrumental in their becoming successful in many different fields
Provided Aide anonymously to many VBHS students

In recognition of Mrs. Grace Barlow’s excellent service to the Van Buren School District and her devotion to the students of VBHS, the Van Buren High Library is named in her honor.


Harley C. Davis

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1959
Bachelors of Science in Health and Physical Education, Arkansas Tech University
Commissioned a Lieutenant of Infantry through ATU ROTC
Master of Arts, Eastern Kentucky University
Advanced Management, University of New Hampshire

Career
Served in the US Army
Detachment Commander for 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam; 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC (3 years); 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg and Fort Campbell (Equipping and conduct of desert warfare training for Desert Shield and Desert Storm for 2 years)
Assistant Commandant, US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, 1981-91
Deputy Commanding General, US Army Special Operations Command, 1991-92
Commanding General US Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), 1992-95
Deputy Commanding General, 5th US Army (West) Established 5th US Army (West) replacing the 6th US Army Training, mobilization, readiness and deployment of Army National Guard and Army Reserves to Haiti, Bosnia and presidential declared national disasters in the 12 western states

Major General Davis served in two tours in Belgium, Korea and two tours in Vietnam.
Some of his decorations include:
Distinguished Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster)
Legion of Merit
The Soldiers Medal
3 Bronze Stars
5 Meritorious Service Medals
2 Air Medals
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry (with Silver Star)
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Ranger Tab
Special Forces Tab
Army Staff Identification Badge
Major General Davis retired for the US Army after 33 years of service, February 1, 1997. He is currently serving as Senior Mentor for the US Air Force Special Operations Schools.


Maurice Sagely

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1945
Four-year letterman in Football, Basketball and Track
Served in the US Army Infantry, 1945-46
Bachelors of Science in Education, University of Arkansas
Masters of Science in Education, University of Arkansas, 1956

Career
Fayetteville Boys Club Director from 1952-54
Student Assistant Coach under Bowden Wyatt in 1954
Lewisville High School Principal, Teacher, Football and Basketball Coach from 1954-56
Superintendent of Lewisville School District from 1956-64
In 1964, he returned to Van Buren and helped establish Cedars Golf Course
In 1966, returned to education as the Superintendent of Lonoke School District
Received the Lonoke Chamber of Commerce, “Educator of the Year” Award in 1986
Served as part-time Adult Education Director, Lonoke County from 1986-89
Arkansas State Coordinator for Junior Achievement, Inc. from 1990-92
Served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in Lewisville and Lonoke
Past President of Southwest Arkansas School Masters Association, Central Arkansas School Masters Association, Arkansas Education Association Superintendent Section, as Charter member, board member and retired member
Member of the Arkansas Association of Education Administrators
Member of the Arkansas North Central Accreditation Association
A Phi Delta Kappa, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a retired member of AEA and NEA
Member of the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor Board
Charter member of the Van Buren School District Education Foundation


Dayna Shultz Black

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1982
Basketball – All-District, All-Region, All-State, All-American
Won three District Titles and made the State Tourney two years
All-time leading scorer at VBHS with over 1,800 points
Selected for the West All-Star Game
Member of FCA and FBLA
Banking and Finance Major at Oklahoma Baptist University, 1986
3-Time All-American, All-NAIA District 9 & All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection
Oklahoma Baptist Basketball Records:
Most Game Points – 46 vs. Oklahoma City University
Most Field Goals in a Game – 16 vs. Oklahoma City University
Most Field Goals in a Season – 261 (1985-86)
Most Free Throws Made in a Season – 175 (1985-86)
Most Rebounds in a Game – 20 vs. Phillips University
Highest Scoring Average in a Season – 23.2 (1985-86)
Most Career Points – 2,209 (1982-86)
Career Average: 17.4 points/game, 8.3 rebounds, 51% from field, 76% from line

Awards and Recognitions
#23 Jersey Retired at Oklahoma Baptist University
OBU Hall of Fame selection in first year of eligibility
Athletes in Action, Toured Fiji Islands, Australia and Philippines

Career
Arkansas Best Freight in Fort Smith, AR
Certified MOUS in Excel

Civic Activities:
Active in Boys and Girls Club (van Buren and South Sebastian)
Member of Phi Beta Kappa


Duke Shelby Breedlove

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1948
Football and basketball letterman
Football Conference Champions 3 years in a row
1948 District Champs
Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies baseball; played one summer semi-pro in Texas League
Fort Smith Junior College, 1948-50
College of the Ozarks, 1950
Arkansas State Teachers College, 1950
Bachelors of Science in Education, University of Arkansas, 1953-54
Masters of Science in Education, University of Arkansas, 1960
Doctor of Philosophy, Florida State University, 1968-70; Doctoral Thesis used by Governor of Arkansas to develop a system of community colleges

Career
Coach/Teacher at Sophia Meyer in Van Buren (supervised by Clair Bates and Virgle Coleman)
US Army from 1951-53 – Counter Intelligence, CIA-served in Germany for 13 months
Army National Guard from 1955-62 – 142nd Artillery Unit, Received Eisenhower Trophy in 1960
Coached Ramey Junior High football from 1954-57, with only one lose in two years
Coached Fayetteville High School basketball, baseball and American Legion from
1957-60 (1960 Baseball State Champions)
Coached Fort Smith Junior College basketball, baseball, track, tennis, golf and American Legion from 1960-64 (1962 basketball team ranked 4th in the Nation, NJCAA)
Athletic Director and Dean of Men at Westark Community College from 1964-66
President of Westark Community College from 1968-74

Awards and Honors
Distinguished Service Award, Junior Chamber of Commerce
Greatest Coach, Bullpups in 1956-57
Award of Exceptional Accomplishments, Arkansas Comm. Development Program in 1974
Shelby Breedlove Fine Arts Building dedicated at Westark in 1976
American Association of Two-Year Colleges Hall of Honor Inductee in 1992
Inducted into the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Hall of Fame in 2010


Frank Vines

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1965
All-District Football, 1963, 1964
All-Star Football Game, 1965
Pepsi All-American
All-District Basketball, 1965
Graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, 1969
All-Conference Football, 1967, 1968
Captain of the football team, 1968
All-Decade team of the 60’s

Career
Assistant Football Coach in Mena, AR, 1969-73
Won First District Championship in over 20 years, 1972
Assistant Football Coach at Van Buren High School, 1974-75
Won District Championship and State Runner-up, 1974
Head Football Coach at Alma High School, 1976-2004
24 Playoff Appearances
16 Conference Championships
5 State Runner-ups, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1992, 1999
3 State Championships, 1980, 1997, 1998
Overall Record, 245-88-4


Fred O. Williams

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1970
Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, University of Central Arkansas, 1974

Career
Founder, President and CEO of Williams/Crawford & Associates, Inc.
Advertising agency headquartered in historic Fort Smith, AR (Jones House)
Field offices in Conway and Little Rock employing 24
60% of agency’s business is outside of Fort Smith (across middle U.S.)
15% of business for non-profit (school and churches)

Contributions
Salvation Army, local and divisional Board for Arkansas and Oklahoma
Crawford County Cattleman’s Association
National Cattleman’s Association
American Angus Association
Westark Council
Boy Scouts of America
Fort Smith United Way Board, chairman of 95 campaign
Old Fort Museum Board
Fort Smith Art Center Board
Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board
Fort Smith Rotary Club, President
Town Club, President
Fort Smith/Van Buren Advertising Federation, President
Partners in Progress, Steering Committee
Leadership Fort Smith and Crawford County Boards
Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce Arkansas Arts Council
Fort Smith Regional Playground for Children Board
First United Methodist Church Board
District Council of Ministers of the Methodist Church
Van Buren School District Education Foundation Executive Board

Honors
Silver Medal Award, American Advertising Federation
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
2 Presidential Citations, Rotary International
Service Above Self Award, Downtown Rotary Club
Outstanding Service Award, Salvation Army


John M. Riggs

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1972
Active in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track

Career
Employed at his father’s newspaper business, The Courier
Opened his own photography business
Elected Mayor of Van Buren in 1995
Arkansas Municipal League
Advisory Council for Large First Class Cities
Resolutions Committee
Municipal Health Benefit Board of Trustees
District 3, Vice-President
Accomplished the Field of Dreams

Contributions
Crisis Center for Battered Women Board
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Advisory Board
United Way Campaign
American Red Cross Board
Western Arkansas Planning and Development District Board
Arkoma Regional Planning Commission Board
WAEDA
Harry O. Hamm Educational Scholarship Committee
Van Buren Chamber of Commerce
Van Buren Boys and Girls Club
Volunteer Coach for the Boys and Girls Club and First Baptist Upward Basketball League
Deacon at First Baptist Church in Van Buren


Maris Watkins Shultz

Education
Van Buren High School Graduate, 1955
All-State Basketball for 3 years, 1953, 1954, 1955
State Championship Teams for 3 consecutive years and no losses

Civic Contributions
Active in the Van Buren Boys Club
Officer of Mother’s Club at Van Buren Boys Club
Board member and officer at Van Buren Boys Club
Coached Basketball and Baseball at VBBC
Cheerleader sponsor at VBBC
Coached girls basketball and softball at VBBC
Girl Scout Leader
United Way Board member
Active in PTA and Board member at King and Parkview Elementary PTA
Lifetime membership award in PTA
Active member and officer of Van Buren Junior High Basketball and Football Booster Clubs
Active member and officer of Van Buren High School Basketball and Football Booster Clubs
Central Middle School PTA President
Volunteer of the Year by the VBSD PTA Council in 2001


Virgle H. Coleman

Education
Family raised and schooled in Oklahoma and Conway, AR
Attended Hendrix University, 1924
Received the All-Star Football Award
Master’s in Education degrees from University of Iowa and the University of Arkansas

Career
Teacher/Coach in Van Buren from 1921-23
Principal in Conway School System from 1924-27
Superintendent/Principal/Coach in Van Buren School District from 1927-1951
Coached basketball and football in early years with great success in girls basketball
Coached the 1930 State Champion Football team
Retired in 1951 after 30 years in Education
Co-Founder of Southern Bleacher Company in 1946 in Van Buren
Co-Owner of Spencer-Harris Machine and Tool in Salem, IL from 1951-52
Co-Owner of Crossville Machine Shop in Carmi, IL from 1952-1978

Honors and Achievements
President-Elect of Arkansas Education Association in 1944
Member and Elder of the First United Presbyterian Church in Van Buren and Carmi, IL
Member and Chairman of key committees in the Rotary Club
Recipient of Rotary Lincoln Heritage Award for delivering Meals-on-Wheels to shut-ins
Coleman Junior High is named in his honor
Crawford County Hall of Fame Award to family in 1990


Clara Bertha Eno - Outstanding Civic Achievement

1. Born in Van Buren in 1854
2. Left during the Civil War and returned following the war
3. VBHS Graduate
4. Career:
a. Earned teaching certificate
b. Broadway School, Van Buren (1888) taught ? 1st and 2nd grade readers
c. Clarksville and Conway teacher
d. Historian:
1. Researched Crawford County and State of Arkansas
2. Donated historical documents to Fort Smith's 1st museum
3. Arkansas History Commission - Instrumental in getting County and State historical sites marked and located graves of American Revolutionary soldiers in Arkansas for marking
4. Spokesman for DAR and UDC at VBHS and sponsored essay contests
e. Author - At age 95, wrote and had published by Press Argus, History of Crawford County, Arkansas (1950)
5. Service and Honors:
a. Member, Mary Fuller Percival Chapter of DAR
b. Member, Mary Lee Chapter of UDC
c. Member, Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs
d. Member, Arkansas Historical Commission
e. Charter member of Van Buren Women's Literary Club (1st Library)
f. Charter member of Village Improvement Club which built the fountain on the Courthouse lawn in 1908.

 


GARY AUTRY is a 1966 VBHS graduate.

He received a full football scholarship from the University of Arkansas. He also attended Missouri Southern College in Joplin completing his BSE in Education, May 1972 and completed 15 hours graduate work at Northeastern Missouri State in Kirksville, Missouri. His professional career in education is as follows:
• Football Defensive Coordinator at Highland High School, Ewing, Missouri, 1972-1974
• Defensive Coordinator/Physical Education teacher at Mena High School 1974-1977
• Defensive Coordinator VBHS 1977-79 — won State Championship in 1977
• Head Football Coach at Van Buren High School 1979-1996
• Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Rockport-Fulton High School, Rockport, Texas 1996-2001
• Athletic Director/Head Football Coach at Greenville High School, Greenville, Texas 2001-2002
• Defensive Line Coach at Hardin-Simmons University, 2002-2003

Coach Autry’s coaching accomplishments:
• 2002 Hardin Simmons University, Record 8-2
• 2001 AAAA Greenville, TX - Bi-District Playoffs
2000 AAAA Rockport, TX - District Champions, Bi-District Champions, Area Champions, Regional Champions, State Quarter Finalist, 2000 District 30 AAAA Coach of the Year
• 1999 AAAA Rockport, TX - Bi-District Playoffs
• 1998 AAAA Rockport, TX - Bi-District Playoffs, District 31-AAAA Coach of the Year, Bay Area Sports - All South Texas Team Coach
• 1997 AAAA Rockport, TX - Implementation of new football program
• 1996 AAAA Van Buren, AR - AAAA State Champions, AAAA West District Champions, Coach of the Year - Northwest Arkansas Times, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, AAAA West All-Star Coach
• 1996 Dallas, TX - Arkansas Nike Coach of the Year - Nike Coaching Clinic
• 1995 AAAA Van Buren, AR - AAAA West District Champions, State Semi Finalists, All-Star Coaching Staff, AAAA West Arkansas/Oklahoma Coach of the Year - Southwest Times Record
• AAAA District Champions: 84, 86, 87, 88, 90, 95, 96, 2000, State Runner-up 1990, Selected “Coach of the Year” six times
• 1996-2000 Football Clinic Guest Speaker: Spaulding Coaching Clinic, Hot Springs, AR; Branson Coaching Clinic, Branson, MO; Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, Dallas, TX; Arkansas All-Star Coaching Clinic, Little Rock, AR; Coastal Bend Coaching Clinic, Corpus Christi, TX; West Texas Coaching Clinic, Feb. 2000, Lubbock, Texas.

 


Harry Vandergriff - Outstanding Post High School Academic or Professional Career (submitted 2005)

1. Attended Van Buren Public Schools and graduated from Van Buren High School,
a. Active in all sports, lettering in football, basketball and track.
b. Senior class, Pres.
c. Considered Virgle Coleman, his coach, as a great influence and mentor in all phases of his life
2. Locomotive fireman for the Missouri Pacific Railway Company following graduation.
3. United States Air Force, W WII - 4 yrs.

a. Flew 50 missions aboard B-17 Bombers in Europe and Africa.
b. Awarded Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with Clusters, Purple Heart Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
4. University of Arkansas, BS, MS and Degree of Advanced Study in School Administration
5. Career:

a. Fayetteville Public Schools:

1. Teacher and coach
2. Assistant superintendent
3. Superintendent of Schools
4. Retired in 1982 after 34 yrs.
b. Officer in Arkansas School Administration Assn.
c. Appointed by Gov. Bumpers to Task Force on Education
d. Served on Arkansas Advisory Council for Vocational-Technical Education
e. Appointed by Gov. Clinton to Education Commission of the States
f. Appointed by Sen. Pryor to committee to select Arkansas high school students study in Japan under the Youth for Understanding Program
g. Director of Legislative Affairs for the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators
6. Honors:

a. Recipient of Washington County Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award
b. Recipient of Fayetteville Exchange Club's Golden Deeds Award
c. Leadership and Service Award, University of Arkansas Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.
d. Member of state committee of North Central Accreditation Association.
7. Civic Contributions:

a. Elder in First United Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville
b. Arkansas Arthritis Foundation, Board member
c. Chairman of the Board of Control of Fayetteville City Hospital
d. Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, member
8. Personal:

a. Married to Anne Bourne Vandergriff
b. Father of Mrs. Michael Morris of Corpus Christ, TX
c. Grandfather of four lovely girls and one great grandson


JAMES W. LEMLEY is a 1957 VBHS graduate.

During his high school career he was a 4 year football letterman; All-State, 55; All-District tackle and All-District Guard. In baseball he was a 3 year letterman; All-District, 57 and in basketball and Track he was a 2 year letterman. He also served as President of the Honor Society 1956-57 and was a member of the Student Council 1955-57. He attended College of the Ozarks, earning his BSE in 1961. While attending college he earned 2nd Team All Conference Football, 1958; Football, 4 year letterman; Huie Award—Outstanding Senior; Student Body, President 1960-61; Class officer; Mentor’s Club; and Newspaper Staff. He earned his MSE at Henderson State University in 1968. Highlights of his 41 year coaching and education career are:
• Siloam Springs, 1961-62
• Smackover, 1962-68
• Mountain Grove, MO, 1968-70
• Texarkana, 1970-72
• St. Anne’s Academy, 1972-73
• Ft. Smith Southside, 1974-2003
• First Girls basketball coach
• State Championships
• Girls Track & Field, Assistant Coach, 1981,82,83,85
• Girls Track & Field , Head Coach 1990-95
• Girls Track & Field (Indoor) Girls Track, Head Coach, 1996, 1998
• Football, Asst. Coach, 1983, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1997, 2002
Coach Lemley has earned many awards and honors during his coaching and education career some of which are:
• AHSCA Outstanding Coach of Year, Girls Track, 1993, 1994, 1995
• Arkansas/Oklahoma All-Star Track Meet, Coach, 1994, 1995, 1996
• AHSCA All-Star Football Game, Coach, 1998

He is married to the former Millie Hays of Smackover. They have two sons Evan, professor of Engineering at University of Central Oklahoma; Hays, VBHS Football and Track Coach and four grandchildren.


W. N. SHAVER, III is a 1946 VBHS graduate.

He was an active student participating as an athlete, thespian and musician during his Van Buren High School career. After graduation he enlisted in the US Army and served in Japan. He was Drum Major in the US Army Band. After his military service he returned to Arkansas and was the first Arkansas Tech University graduate to earn a degree in Music Education in 1952. He earned his Masters of Music Education from the University of Arkansas.

His career in music education spanned from 1951 through 1975. He served as Junior and Senior High band director in Dardenelle, Marianna, and Smackover. He was Fort Smith Northside High School band director for 18 years. In 1975 through 1987 he with the Cooperative Career Education program at Northside High School. Mr. Shaver has contributed his talents and efforts in many community endeavors such as: church choir director and president of congregation; Community Choir director, Morrilton; Community Band of Northwest Arkansas, Director; Director for “Many Moods of Christmas”, Community Choir; Directed productions of “Oklahoma” and “South Pacific”; Guest director for band camps in Arkansas; Director of the Fort Smith All-City Band (which he established); Guest clinician throughout the state during teaching career; contest judge in every region in Arkansas; ASBOA President, 1962-63; Charter member of Phi Beta Mu (Omicron Chapter of National Band Fraternity); and Charter member of Arkansas Bandmaster Association. He has also earned many honors: Northside High School band was recognized as one of premier bands in state, 1960, 1963 - Arkansas Honor Band; Represented Arkansas at Four States Bandmaster Convention; received the “Garvin Grizzly Award” for teaching excellence; inducted into Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction, 2002; and was inducted into Arkansas Phi Beta Mu Hall of Fame at the Music Educator’s Annual Convention in Hot Springs, February 2004.

Mr. Shaver has been married to Virginia Lynn for over 50 years and they have two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.


DORIS STEVENSON WEST

attended Van Buren Public School and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1945. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the Drama Club and was employed by Citizens Bank while in high school. She married James “Kentucky” West in 1950 and worked in the University of Arkansas business office while James was in law school. They have two daughters, Carolyn Boulden and Jan Whitt and two grand¬children. She was an active member of PTA serving as President and serving as a Girl Scout leader and trainer for many years.
Some of her other community contributions are:
a. Crawford County Historian:
1. Editor of The Heritage (Crawford County Historical Soc.), 40 plus years
2. Crawford County Historical Society, President
3. Writer of historical articles in The Heritage and other publications
4. Co-author of History in Headstones - Cemeteries in Crawford County
5. Historical research chairman of the Crawford County Bicentennial Commission
6. Helped publish An Historical Salute to Crawford County
b. Helped restore and served as volunteer worker at Bob Burns House
c. Fairview Cemetery Board, President
d. Speaker at schools and civic meetings on Van Buren and Crawford County history
e. Preserved former 1st United Methodist Church (Tower Hall)
f. Active participant in Reunion Committee for Van Buren High School classes of 1945-1948
g. Placed doll collection and historical works on Main Street for free public access
She has received many honors: Living Legend Award, 1995; Ruie Ann Smith Parks Genealogy Award, 1988; and honored with life-time membership in the Delightful Doll Society, for her service as charter member and president to name a few.
When the TV movie “The Blue and the Gray” was filmed in Van Buren Mrs. West was one of the ladies selected to be in the crowd scene at the Van Buren Depot. It was an extremely hot day and the shooting took a long time after which she announced that her career as an actress was over and she would stick to historian.
Mrs. West played an active role in the preservation of Van Buren and Crawford County history throughout her life making what she accomplished available to future generations. In 1992 Mr. and Mrs. West bought and moved into the Dr. Charles Fox Brown house at 420 Drennen, largely because of its historical significance and to help preserve its rich history. The house was built shortly after the Civil War and was placed on the National Historic Register in 1978.

GLENN F. BRILEY

a Van Buren resident since 1950, has been an avid Pointer fan and great supporter of Van Buren kids, watching little league, Pointer and Pointerette games and practices for many, many years. He “would bleed Van Buren green if scratched” according to his family. He served forty-four months during WW II in the Army Corps of Engineers and he was awarded five Bronze Battle Stars for combat duty while serving twenty-two months in the South Pacific. He was employed forty years with the Missouri-Pacific Railroad as a locomo¬tive engineer.


Mr. Briley is a devoted family man. He and his late wife Clessie Carr Bri¬ley were married sixty-three years. They have two children, Gary Briley and Glenda Briley Jackson, four grandchildren, one step grandchild, three great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren. Both Mr. & Mrs. Briley’s children and two grandchildren have graduated from Van Buren High School and one great-grandchild will soon graduate.


Mr. Briley has shared his talents and time with the community of Van Buren by being a Crawford County Memorial Hospital (now Summit) auxiliary volun¬teer operating the Gift Shop with Mrs. Briley for many years and serving as Treasurer (1997-1998). He also served as Chair of the Hospital Scholarship Foundation, contributing personally to assure scholarships were available for students. He served as Democratic Committeeman for voting precinct 3-1 at Van Buren Public Library for more than ten years. He is a loyal member of Heritage United Methodist Church serving on many committees and as a Sun¬day School Teacher. It has always been his personal belief that staying active in the community is very important. He continues to display a ‘never give up attitude’ even after two heart surgeries, knee and hip replacement, and cancer. Glenn Briley truly represents the epitome of “Pointer Pride”



MARTHA DOLLAR EFURD

attended Van Buren Public Schools and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1952 as an honor student and has shown the same academic performance and leader¬ship ability for the past fifty years. She attended College of the Ozarks on Music and Academic scholarships. She earned her BS Degree from Northeastern Okla¬homa State University. After the birth of her three children and six years of teach¬ing she received her Master of Science Degree from Texas Tech University, her Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Oklahoma, and accumu¬lated 47 hours in advanced courses from the University of Arkansas.
She began her career teaching grades 1-8 for one year at Antiock, Washington County, Copan, Oklahoma; second grade for five years in Amarillo, Texas; fifth grade for two years in Lubbock, Texas; set up special classes in four schools and taught in two schools for five years in Shawnee, Oklahoma; started Learning Disabilities group and summer reading and math classes; conducted Rights and Responsibilities Workshops with husband Relf Efurd; cre¬ated a special reading program and taught twenty-four years at Westark Community College.
Her college-related activities include serving as president-elect for the Academic Area of Arkansas Two-year College Association, 1990-1991. She advised in organizing Westark Com-munity College’s Developmental Education Division; chaired the Westark Community Col¬lege Faculty Association, 1982-1983; was president of Arkansas Two-Year College Associa¬tion, 1983-84; served as president (1979) and vice president (1978), Western Arkansas Chapter Phi Delta Kappa; was president (1985-1986, 1986-1987) and vice president (1983-84) of the Arkansas Association for Developmental Education; and chaired the Academic Standards Committee 1979 and 1990-1991. She was managing editor and founder of The Journal of Ar-kansas Association for Developmental Education; a member of the Faculty Senate at Westark for 1981-82, 1982-83, and 1990-91; and author of a college reading text, Vocabulary, Reading, and Reasoning, published in 1984 and 1990.
Some of her many awards include the Lucille Speakman Excellence in Teaching Award, 1990; Arkansas Association for Developmental Education Outstanding Leadership Award, 1990; Who’s Who Among Scholars, 1986; Western Arkansas Chapter Phi Delta Kappan of the Year, 1982; Western Arkansas Chapter Phi Delta Kappa Innovative Teacher, 1983; and the Whirl¬pool Corporation Grant for National Master Teacher Seminar, 1981.
Mrs. Efurd has participated in many community service activities: South Sebastian County Historical Society - vice president and current member; Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary - president two years (current member); Fort Smith Symphony Guild - 1975 to present; Greenwood Art Guild - Chartered and current member; numerous church activities including choir and teacher; painted murals in homes, businesses and the Greenwood High School; and painted Van Buren mural at 700 Main Street Park, dedicated Oct. 1, 2004.


REX L. YERBY

was a 1949 Van Buren High School graduate, where he was a three-year letterman in football, baseball, and basketball. He played quarterback in football, pitched in baseball, and was a guard in basket¬ball for the Van Buren Pointers. He attended College of the Ozarks in Clarksville on a football scholarship and played baseball, basketball and boxed. In 1950 during the Korean Conflict he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in San Diego, California, where he was assigned to Special Services to play football at the Naval Air Station. In 1953 he was transferred to the USS Randolph, home-ported in Norfolk, VA, for overseas duty in the Mediterranean region with the 7th Fleet. While sta¬tioned in Norfolk, he played football and baseball with the Norfolk Naval Tars. In 1953 he received an honorable discharge from the Navy and returned to College of the Ozarks to resume his education. He was named All AIC in baseball at College of the Ozarks and Arkansas Golden Gloves - Novice Division - Heavyweight champ in 1956. In 1957 he was named All AIC in baseball and third team All-AIC in football at College of the Ozarks and he earned his B.S. in Physical Education. He began his coaching career as Van Buren Junior High School football coach, 1957-1959; moving to Springdale Junior High School as football coach and High School assis¬tant coach, 1960; Springdale Public Schools as Athletic Director and head football coach, 1961-1965. During his first season they attained a 9-1 record, sharing the Region 1 AA Championship title. The 1961 season included a 6-0 victory over Fort Smith’s St. Anne’s, snapping a 45 game winning streak. Springdale record: 23-15-4. In 1965 he earned a Masters of Education from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. In 1965-1967 he served as Athletic Director and head football coach at Stratford, Texas High School. Moving to Alma High School as head football coach from 1967-1969. He returned to Van Buren High School as head football coach from 1969-1975. In 1975 he became Principal of Van Buren Junior High School where he remained until his retire¬ment in 1986. In 1992 he was inducted into the University of the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame - Baseball and to the Van Buren Mayor’s Honor Team. On October 21, 2003 he and his wife Almeta Blackard Yerby (also a retired VBSD teacher) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their five children, all graduates of the Van Buren School District; nine grandchil¬dren, four currently attending schools in the Van Buren School District; and one great-grandchild. Since his retirement, he can often be found with the Breakfast Bunch at the Cottage Café on East Main Street.

TODD A. WILLIAMS

graduating from Van Buren High School as Co-Valedictorian in 1990 holds the distinction of being the youngest Van Buren High School Hall of Honor inductee to date.
Some of his many high school achievements were:
a. Arkansas Governor’s School, Mathematics, 1989
b. National Honor Society, President
c. Student Council, Treasurer
d. United States Army Medal for outstanding science project overall at NW Arkansas Regional Science Fair, 1989
e. Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Student Award, 1990
f. Alma Chamber of Commerce Student Recognition Award, 1990
g. Pianist for North Park Baptist Church
Higher Education achievements and service:
a. University of Arkansas, BSE in Mathematics
b. Pianist, University of Arkansas Jazz Ensemble, 1990-1992
c. Rhodes Scholarship Semi-Finalist
d. Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences
1. Senior scholar
2. Graduated summa cum laude
3. Award ceremony, delivered the “Charge” to students and faculty, 1994
e. Harold D. Hantz Fulbright Scholars Award for Outstanding
Performance in Scholarship
f. Droke - Dunn Award (outstanding Senior math major, 1994)
g. Alumni Senior Honor Citation (Arkansas Alumni Association awarded to one outstanding male and female senior student based on academic performance and achievement)

Recipient of Scholarships and Fellowships totaling $187,000.00:
1. Arkansas State Honor Society Scholarship
2. Wal-Mart Outstanding Student Scholarship
3. University of Arkansas Jazz Ensemble Scholarship
4. Guerdon Nicols Scholarship
5. Hal C. Douglas and Marion A. Steele Scholarships
6. Barry Goldwater Scholarship
7. Sturgis Fellowship
8. Arkansas Governor’s Scholarship
9. University of Virginia Graduate Fellowship
Post-graduate achievements and service:
a. Department of Defense, acquired top-secret security clearance in the Director’s Summer Program (NSA) - 1994
b. University of Chicago, Master of Science in Financial
Mathematics, 1998
c. University of Virginia, Ph.D. in Mathematics, 2001
1. Taught “The mathematics of derivative securities”,
a UVA course for graduate students and advanced under graduates in math, economics and engineering
2. UVA Seven Society Graduate Fellowship Honoree for Superb Teaching
3. Authored “Managing Your Portfolio with Barycentric
Coordinates”
4. Edited Pricing Derivative Securities, a graduate textbook, 2000
5. Dissertation: Option Pricing and Branching Processes

His professional experience includes:
a. CIBC Oppenheimer, Investment Sales Assistant, 1997-1998
b. University of Virginia, Financial Mathematics Researcher and Instructor, 1998-2001
c. Sagamore Hill Capital Management, LP, Quantitative Strategist/ Risk Manager, 2001-2005
Todd is currently vice president at K2 Advisors, $4 billion fund of hedge funds, analyzing and monitoring its risk, along with developing risk man¬agement systems for alternative strategies. He and wife, Sharon, reside in Stamford, Connecticut, a city of 120,000, in Metropolitan New York City. He is Pianist and financial coordinator for Encounter Church, a new Southern Baptist church “plant” in Stamford.


C. J. FRANKLIN, JR.

graduated from Van Buren High School in 1941 and attended Georgia Military Academy. He was a life long resident of Van Buren, and a member of a prominent pioneer Crawford County family. While attending high school he was employed by Ocker Funeral Home and his father in the “Arkansas Grocery” located on Main Street. At age 18 he joined his uncle, Wiley Smith, at W.B. Smith Department Store as assistant manager/bookkeeper; and before long became manager and later owner. He was quoted in a 1970 news article as saying “W.B. Smith Department Store has always strived to bring the best quality and nationally advertised merchandise, at the lowest possible prices, plus provide free parking for customers behind the store. We give S & H Green Stamps and are happy to do so. We have a fine charge account and lay-a-way system and we are proud to say we do not charge customers interest, or a service or carrying charge on unpaid balances.” Many residents of the area have fond memories of shopping at W.B. Smith’s and secured their first charge account with the approval of C. J. Franklin. He has been described as an old-fashioned businessman who did business on a handshake and you could trust what he said. He sold W.B. Smith Department Store May 6, 1983, and many say “Main Street” has not been the same since.

C. J. served for 25 years as athletic trainer for Van Buren School District and was a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. He served 13 years on the Van Buren School Board – never missing a meeting. When running for re-election to the school board the last time, he was asked about his accomplishments and he cited “buildings that have been built – a new elementary school, new administration building and Clair Bates Gym.” He also served on boards for the Van Buren Boys Club, the Boys Ranch of Lavaca, Zion Foster Home, the United Way, the Ranchers and Stockmen Board, the Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Westark Planning and Development Service Board, and was a charter member of the Van Buren City Park Board. Governor Bill Clinton appointed him to the Board of the Arkansas Juvenile Training Schools, and he served Crawford County as Juvenile Probation Officer. He also served as Director of People’s Bank, was president of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, president of the Van Buren Rotary Club, served on the Mayor’s Advisory Council, was a member of Farm Bureau, a charter member of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Patrol, was a member of the Crawford County Civil Defense Team, the Retail Credit Bureau, Van Buren Masonic Lodge #6 and Amrita Grotto. He was a member and an ordained Deacon at the First Baptist Church and was unanimously named Minister of Youth and Outreach. He served as pastor of the Eastside Mission Baptist Church located in Jesse Turner Terrace.

Mr. Franklin, a member of a prominent pioneer Crawford County family, was the son of Mr. & Mrs. C. J. Franklin, Sr. and a life long resident of Van Buren. He married the former Imogene Routson of Fort Smith, in 1941. They have two daughters, Carol Henson of Van Buren, and Jane Garner of Little Rock. They have one grandson and three great-grandchildren.

While Mr. Franklin made many contributions to the community, he will best be remembered for the difference he made in the lives of the youth of Van Buren. He was always concerned about young people. He found ways to be a positive influence in their lives by educating himself and being there for them at the boys club, at church, at the football field and he was always there with them in court. While serving as juvenile officer, with the help of Mrs. Franklin, there were always wayward kids at the Franklin home and at one time there were six county young people calling the Franklin residence their home. In Mr. Franklin’s spare time he was a rancher and a member of the Van Buren Riding Club. At the time of his death in July 1985 he was owner and operator of Franklin Trailer Sales.


LINDA HOLT MAY

attended Van Buren Public Schools where she developed her deep appreciation for literature, which gave her the foundation and inspiration to become a teacher. She graduated from Van Buren High School in 1959 – attended Arkansas Tech University graduating in 1963 – began teaching English and French at Hamburg. She continued her teaching journey heading to Crossett, and then Alma High Schools before arriving back in Van Buren to complete her 36 year career as an educator.

Some of her many professional affiliations, activities and awards include:
• Van Buren Education Association
• Arkansas Education Association
• National Education Association
• Kappa Kappa Iota – National Teacher Sorority
• Founded the Van Buren Chapter (Alpha Eta) in 1970
• Delta Kappa Gamma International Society of Key Women Educators (Alpha Rho Chapter)
• VBSD Education Foundation Grants Committee
• American Legion Oratorical Contest – competition judge
• Recognized by the Fort Smith chapter of American Legion Oratorical Contest for “Outstanding Service”
• Upon her retirement a proclamation by Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker for “outstanding contributions to the education profession” – Linda May Day – May 21, 1999
• In 2006 Van Buren School District proclaimed her the “consummate professional” by naming the secondary teacher of the year award presented annually to henceforward be known as the “Linda May – Secondary Teacher of the Year Award”

Mr. Bill Wyatt, former Van Buren High School principal was once quoted as saying, “Mrs. May is a person who possesses those critical elements of intelligence, compassion and character that make her an outstanding teacher.” She was held in high regard by her students and colleagues as a phenomenal instructor. “Linda always presented herself as a gracious and caring person whom I am proud to call my friend” stated Mr. John Rotert, retired English teacher and colleague. Former student Amber Rowe has pondered many times since becoming a teacher herself, “How would Mrs. May handle this situation?” Reflecting back, she sites Mrs. May’s ability to prepare her students for life outside of the classroom by teaching them to communicate effectively and demonstrating to them how to be responsible, punctual, diligent, and organized, while instilling in them a love for the written word.

Mrs. Linda May dedicated her life to being an inspiration to thousands of Van Buren High School students. She was a demanding teacher, but she demanded even more of herself, believing over the years she must be a good role model for students. Her goals were to instill in her students an appreciation for literature in its various forms and to guide them to become effective communicators in writing and in speech with an emphasis on correct grammar and a healthy vocabulary. Although her favorite form of literature is poetry, Mrs. May taught sophomores and juniors a variety of subjects, and made it her goal to pass her love of literature and related subjects on to her students. Over the years she especially enjoyed speech classes because they promoted a special form of creativity in students. Each year she felt the most rewarding aspects of teaching were getting to know her students and developing a rapport with them.
Mrs. May is married to Wayne May, retired Butterfield Junior High School English/oral communications teacher. They have one daughter, Pam Pilgram-Smith, one granddaughter, Lauren Riley Smith and one son, Van May.


Bobby Parks – Evangelist and Minister

1950 VBHS graduate:
Senior High Honor Society; Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball: Starter in four sports as a senior; Starting quarterback on 1949
football district championship team ; Starting guard on 1950 basketball state championship team ; Senior Class Secretary; Senior Play cast member; Senior Prom Master of Ceremonies
College:
• Oklahoma. A & M College (now Oklahoma. State University) – 1950-51
• Harding University – 1978-80
Military:
U.S. Navy Reserve 1951-1955
Career:
• Dairy & Produce Farmer – 15 years
• Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service (ASCS) Committeeman – 12 years
• Harding University – Assistant Director of School of Biblical Studies - 12 years
o Preached for churches in seven states (Arkansas, Texas Oklahoma, Missouri, Michigan, Minnesota and Louisiana)
o Served in public relations, recruiting students, funding scholarships.
o Taught wives' classes, evaluated, tutored and counseled students and wives in ministry skills and substituted for teachers.
o During the 15 years as a student and Assistant Director of Harding University's School of Biblical Studies, had influence and training of over 300 men and wives who were studying to become ministers and missionaries.
o Directed and preached in 12 Foreign Mission Evangelistic Campaigns for 16 days each in London and Cambridge, England; Edinburgh, Livingston and Cumberland, Scotland from 1982 to 1993.
• Evangelist and Minister – 53 years
o Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Van Buren, AR – 20 years
o Hutchinson Mountain Church of Christ, Batesville, AR – 8 years
o Traveled and served as fill-in preacher in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas
o Elder – Pleasant Valley Church of Christ – 11 years to present
Awards and Honors:
• 1960 Crawford County Farm Family of the Year
• Harding School of Biblical Studies:
o Speaker for Senior Class, graduation ceremonies 1980
o 4.00 G.P.A. 120 hours in Bible, Harding University 1980
o Chosen by faculty to represent his class to speak on the Harding University Bible Lectureship, 1990
o Chosen as speaker for graduation ceremonies, 1993
Four-generation family of Van Buren School District Alumni: Wife: Sue Corrotto Parks (1953 VBHS graduate), married January, 1952; daughters: Carole (1970 VBHS graduate) and Sandy (1972 VBHS graduate); two of their four grandchildren: Taylor Graham (2001 VBHS graduate), Zachary Graham (2004 VBHS graduate); two great grandchildren; and Mother: Morene Parks – age: 94 (1931 VBHS graduate)


Joe Ray (J.R.) Jones – Corporate Chief Executive Officer (Rheem Manufacturing Company)

1978 VBHS Graduate:
• Basketball: 3 yr. letterman; All-District, 77, 78; All-SWTR 77, 78.
• Golf: 3 yr. letterman; AA Golf State Championship 76, 77; AA Golf State Medalist Runner-up, 78; Arkansas State Individual Golf Runner-up, 76.
• President, Mu Alpha Theta, 78.
• Honor Society, 3 yrs.
• Boys State Delegate
• Co-Valedictorian, 78.
College:
1982 University of Arkansas, BS in Mechanical Engineering
Career:
• Product Development Engineer - Rheem Manufacturing (83-86)
• Principal Design and Development Engineer - The Trane Co. (86-88)
• Director Product Development - Heatcraft Refrigeration (89-97)
• Vice- President R&D and Product Marketing - Heatcraft Refrigeration (97-2000)
• Vice-President and General Manager, North and South America Business Units, Refrigeration Products Division - Lennox Industries (2000-02)
• Rheem Manufacturing Company
o President Air Conditioning Division - (2002-2007)
o Corporate Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer – (2007-2008)
o Corporate Chief Executive Officer – (April 2008 – present)
Honors:
• University of Arkansas Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame (AAME), inducted 2003
• AAME Board of Directors, 04,05
• Air Conditioning Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Board of Directors, 04, 05
• Fort Smith, Arkansas Chamber Board of Directors
• University of Arkansas College of Engineering’s Distinguished Alumni, 2007
Personal:
Wife, Becky Cameron Jones, and son, Brandon Jones


Richard Lee Mulloy – Educator

      1951 VBHS Graduate:

College:

      Career:

      Accomplishments:

Deceased, December 1987 at age 53


Charles Peer –Artist and Art Professor  

  1. 1971 VBHS Graduate
    1. National Honor Society – 1968-1971 
    2. Arkansas Boys State – 1970
    3. VBHS Student Council representative and officer – 1968-1971
    4. Pointer Band Drum Major – 1970-1971
  2. College:
    1. Hendrix College BS in Art and an Arkansas Teaching Certificate – 1975
    2. University of Denver, CO – Graduate Studies – 1976
    3. University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) MFA – Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking – 1979
  3. Career:
    1. Owner of  C Peer Studio and Gallery located on historic Main Street Van Buren 1979 – 1990
    2. Taught private art lessons for 10 years
    3. Charter member of the King Opera House Players and first president – two terms
    4. Artist in Education through the Arkansas Arts Council – 1981-1984
    5. Art in Residence – Van Buren School District – 1981-1986
    6. Adjunct teacher at WestArk Community College (now UA Fort Smith) – 1984- 1988 
    7. John Brown University (JBU), Siloam Springs, Arkansas
      1. Professor of Art – 1997-present
      2. Instrumental, along with fellow professor David Andrus, in establishing a new art degree and curriculum at John Brown University:
      3. The department has grown from 6 art majors and 2 professors in 1990 to currently over 230 majors and 8 professors and 1 administrative assistant.
      4. The art department is currently the largest department at JBU.
      5. Establishment of 24 talent based Art Scholarships awarded to JBU students
      6. Establishment of an Art Study Aboard Program open to JBU art students.
      7. Taught art classes in Northern Ireland (2 summers), France and Italy (2 summers)
      8. The design and renovation  of the new Art Building on campus which includes a top quality art gallery
      9. The development of a  Gallery Exhibition Program and Visiting Artists Program for JBU that brings to Northwest Arkansas some of the top artwork and artists in America (i.e. Makoto Fujimura, Joel Sheesley, Timothy Botts, Robyn Horn, Society of Illustrators, Pastel Society of America)
      10. Serves as director of the JBU Art Gallery
      11. Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers – 2004
  1. Professional Art Career:
    1. Currently represented by the Gallery Central, Hot Springs, AR; Art Form Gallery, Van Buren, AR; Fort Smith Art Center, Fort Smith, AR
    2. Included in many private and public collections including The Hyatt Hotel, Hot Springs, AR; Bank of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR and Alice Walton.
    3. Solo exhibits and group exhibits including:
      1. Fort Smith Art Center (most recent 2006);
      2. Crawford County Art Center (most recent 2007);
      3. Morrison-Woodward Gallery,
      4. Eureka Springs, AR; Gallery 800,
      5. Hot Springs, AR; Gallery Central, Hot Springs, AR
      6. Sager Creek Art Center, Four Corners Frames and Gallery and JBU Art Gallery, Siloam Springs, AR
    1. Served as guest judge at many regional art competitions and guest demonstrator at many events (most recently as judge of the Thomas Hart Benton Competition, Neosho, MO 2007)
    2. Led numerous regional workshops
    3. Participated in numerous invitational art events
      1. Garvan Woodland Gardens Plein Air Event “Beauty and the Brush” – April 2008
    1. Illustrated two books with poet grandmother, May Gray, published by New Leaf Press
      1. Celebrating the Master’s Garden and  Celebrating the Master’s Christmas
    1. Free lance illustrator of DaySpring Greeting Cards
    2. Signature member of the Pastel Society of America – the premier juried organization for pastel artist
    3. Past member of Arkansas Artists Registry
    4. Included in many competitive exhibits
      1. Arkansas Governor’s 2008 Artists Daily Planner
      2. Ozark Pastel Society’s “Pastel Power” Competition – 2008
      3. Merriam KS 12th Annual Heartland Artists Exhibition  – 2008
    1. Award winner in many competitive exhibits – most recently the “Gwen Long Award” at the 28th Ozark Art Alliance Competition  – 2008
    2. Recipient of the Shipps Grant from JBU  – 2008
    3. Member of Ozark Pastel Society
    4. Member of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA)
    5. Work displayed at www.charlespeer.com (C Peer Studio)
    6. Continues to work professionally with galleries and art centers
  1. Service to Church
    1. Member of First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs, AR
    2. Worship Leader for Celebration Service
    3. Member of Chancel Choir, past member of Hand Bell Choir
    4. Past Chair of Administrative Council
    5. Member of Vision Team
    6. Head of Banner Ministry Team
    7. Designed and led construction on 14 sets of Liturgical banners
    8. Led four churches in the formation of Banner Ministry Teams (including Heritage United Methodist Church, Van Buren, AR)
  2. Personal
    1. Married to Cecilia Raye Hesslin Peer
      1. Daughter Jordan and son-in-law Waylon Buck
      2. Grandson Collier Peer Buck
      3. Granddaughter Londan Jaye Buck
    1. Son of Dr. Louis H. and Mrs. Jean Gray Peer (Louis Peer – VBHS Hall of Honor Class of  2002)

Dorothy A. Greig – Teacher

• 1939 VBHS Graduate
• Lifelong resident of Van Buren
• Graduate of Arkansas Tech
• Earned a Masters’ Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas by attending summer school after teaching all year
• Obtained her education despite her very evident physical disability due to childhood polio. It was her determination that made it possible for her to achieve her goals without the benefit of handicap accessible buildings or any special programs to assist her; she asked for no special consideration and was given none.
• Served as Librarian in the Bond Special Elementary School for one year
• Taught as a first grade teacher for most of the following 38 years of her career at Sophia Meyer Elementary School
• Laid the foundation for many Van Buren first graders by setting the standard for maintaining rules and regulations to ensure that students excel in problem solving and communicating with peers
• Always remembered every child she taught and could recognize them many years later
• Taught Head-Start for several years
• Served as a mentor for many practice teachers in Van Buren
• Worked on Saturdays with blind children and others who needed extra help
• Represented Van Buren School District by appearing on a Saturday morning public service television program demonstrating first grade classroom life
• Served as a Girl Scout leader
• Member of:
• First Presbyterian Church of Van Buren teaching Sunday School and Bible school for many years
• Van Buren Literary Club
• Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority
• American Association of University Women
o “The Dorothy Greig Memorial Scholarship” was established in her honor. This $100 scholarship is awarded to a Crawford County high school senior girl to further her education in a college or university
• Following her death in 1986 she continued to influence education in Van Buren. Memorials were made to Sophia Meyer Elementary School to be used for library improvements. A plaque dedicating the library in her honor was placed in the library
• In 2006 Van Buren School District proclaimed her the “consummate professional” by naming the elementary teacher of the year award presented annually to henceforward be known as the “Dorothy A. Greig – Elementary Teacher of the Year Award”

She dedicated her life to education.

John D. Rotert – Teacher

Education:
• St. Anne’s Academy in Fort Smith 1960 graduate
• University of Arkansas (Fayetteville)
o Bachelor of Science in Education 1964
o Master of Secondary Education 1968
• Southern Oregon State College (Ashland, Oregon)
o Sixteen hours of advanced work
Career:
• First student to practice teach under the supervision of Mrs. Grace Barlow 1964
• Van Buren High School English teacher for 38 years
a. “Old” high school located on 12th and Popular 1964 – 1966
b. 2001 Pointer Trail East 1966 – 2002
• Van Buren High School Activities:
a. Member of national, state, and local education associations
b. Future Teacher of America sponsor for approximately 10 years
c. Nation Honor Society (NHS) sponsor for 19 + years
i. VBHS NHS won National Awards for outstanding service to the Van Buren community 4 years
ii. Elected and served 5 years as Executive Director of NHS for the state of Arkansas
d. Band Boosters co-president
e. Project Graduation co-chair
f. English Department Chair following retirement of Mrs. Barlow
g. VBHS Annual Outstanding Teacher Award bears his name
h. A kind, positive and strong male role model for the students of Van Buren, modeling Christian values
i. An outstanding role model and mentor to colleagues
j. He was appreciated and respected by all who knew him, and because of his dedication to teaching he touched the lives of many young people of Van Buren
k. His dedication to the Van Buren School District is without equal
Community Activities:
• Attended Van Buren First Presbyterian Church for 40 years
o Volunteer tutor for Boy Scout troop
• Board member of the Van Buren Historical Commission for 3 years
• Secretary Treasurer of the River Valley Museum Board
• Volunteer weekly at the Fort Smith Visitors’ Center (Miss Laura’s) for 3 years
• Member of Crawford County Retired Teachers’ Association
Family:
• Wife – Lynne E. (Bobroski) Rotert (1966 VBHS Graduate)
a. Children – Brad Rotert (1988 VBHS graduate) and Scott Rotert (1993 VBHS graduate)
b. Grandchildren – Madison, Lucas, and Jackson Rotert
• Parents – Mr. & Mrs. John H. Rotert (Jean – deceased)


Robert E. (Bob) Robinson – Van Buren Youth Sports Advocate


Dr. Clarence R. Williams – Outstanding Contributions and Distinguished Service to VBSD

Teacher of choral music, music theory and stage production at Van Buren High School, Van Buren, Arkansas (1949-56).

Educational Background
1. Ed. D., The University of Arkansas, 1967, with major emphasis in secondary education, music, and art.
2. M. M. Ed., The University of Oklahoma, 1950 with major emphasis in music.
3. B. A., The College of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas 1948 with major emphasis in music, English, and literature.
4. Graduate Study, Oklahoma State University 1957.
5. High School Diploma, Clarksville High School, Clarksville, Arkansas, 1940 with major emphasis in English and art.
6. Television Studio Techniques, United Television Corporation (professional school) Louisville, Kentucky, 1957
Teaching, Administrative and Research & Program Development Positions
• Teacher of choral music, theory and elementary public school music, Vinita Public Schools, Vinita, Oklahoma. Music supervisor and director of stage productions (1956-57).
• Teacher of choral music, music theory, and stage production, Van Buren High School, Van Buren, Arkansas (1957-59).
• Choral Conductor and Voice Teacher, Westark Community College, Fort Smith, Arkansas.
• Associate Professor of Music. 1964-67, Chairman, Music Department, The College of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas. Teaching responsibilities included the following subjects: Speech, Speech Correction; Radio-Studio Techniques; Choir Direction and annual tours; Music Theory: Harmony, Counterpoint, Form and Analysis; Debate; and Voice (1960-67).
• Director, Regional Arts & Crafts Center and Educational Research & Development Center in Harrison, Arkansas. These experimental programs served 29 school districts in seven counties and won state and national acclaim and awards, receiving special commendation from the U. S. Office of Education and were disseminated State and nation-wide. The focus of these programs included an integration of the arts into the regular school curriculum with emphasis on talent development and utilization of learning styles. Teachers, administrators and parents in over 300 schools in Arkansas, including Van Buren, Fort Smith and Fayetteville, received specialized training and instructional materials. During this time Williams also organized the North Arkansas Concert Association which developed into a community-wide project providing concerts for students and an annual series of evening concerts and cultural events such as the Saint Louis Symphony; Ballet West; Norman Luboff Choir; Chet Atkins with the Springfield, Missouri Youth Symphony and many others (1967-76).
• Director of Graduate Teacher Training Programs conducted by the Harrison Educational Research & Development Center staff with credit from The University of Arkansas (1967-69).
• Director of teacher training programs by the HERDC staff in a number of other colleges including Arkansas Tech University, University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Hendrix College, Lyon College and others. Many of these programs were also conducted in public Schools. More than 4,000 teachers, administrators and parents in over 300 schools received training. These training programs were also held in several other states and in Montreal, Canada. Later in the 1980's, Williams and his wife Dr. Katala Williams, who was co-coordinator of teacher training, taught short courses for graduate students at the University of Hawaii, Hilo (1972-76).
• Williams was highly instrumental in establishing the North Arkansas Community College which is now North Arkansas College, a four-year institution in Harrison. Serving as Chairman of the Steering Committee, he organized a county-wide effort to provide the support needed to establish the college (1972-75).
• After a short period of time as a supervisor of student teaching at the University of Arkansas, Dr. Williams resigned to run his cattle ranch, to write, paint and do family research. He has served as writer-consultant for Silver Burnett/Ginn Publishers by providing guidelines for the instruction of musically gifted students. He also wrote for a number of genealogical and historical societies and has publishes a number of family histories which are now in Special Collections and Archives throughout the country (1976-09).
Honors and Awards
• Selected by the American Bicentennial Research Institute to appear as a reference source in the Library Of Human Resources, 1974.
• Recipient of President Nixon's Advisory Council's Innovative Projects Award, 1971.
• Certificate of Merit from Dictionary of International Biography for leadership in Fine Arts Education 1969.
• Certificate o Merit from Dictionary of International Biography for Distinguished Service in Education, 1972.
• Selected by the Dictionary of International Biography, London, England, for listing in Two Thousand Men of Achievement for two years in succession.
• Service Award presented by North Arkansas Community College Board of Trustees for leadership in the successful establishment of a Community College in Harrison, Arkansas. “The college and the community will forever be in your debt.” Presented May 1978.
Biographical Listings
• Arkansas Lives
• Community Leaders of America (1972)
• Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans Dictionary of International Biography (1970-1974) Marquis Who's Who in the South & Southwest (1967 -76) National Social Directory
• Two Thousand Men of Achievement (1971, 1972)
• Leaders in Education (1972)
Publications
• Unpublished doctoral dissertation “Construction and Validation of a Test of Aesthetic Judgment in Art,” University of Arkansas, 1967. This study was conducted among a large population of elementary children.
• Numerous research studies in education, articles and books of instructional nature distributed state-wide and nationally.
• Numerous technical reports and federal proposals in education.
• Author of National Institute of Architect’s Environmental Awareness Education Implementation Plan, published in U.S. and Canada, 1969.
• Williams wrote articles which were included in the following publications:
• Concern
• Arkansas Education Journal’
• Arkansas Department of Education News Magazine
• Regular contributor to numerous newspapers
• He wrote for a number of historical and genealogical societies and has published a number of family histories which are now in Special Collections and Archives throughout the country, including the Library of Congress.
• He was the author of "Gifted and Talented Handbook" which included guidelines for instruction of the musically gifted for World of Music , a text book series published by Silver Burnett & Ginn, U. S. & Canada 1988, ISBN 0-382-07192
Military Experience
Williams joined the U. S. Marine Corps as a volunteer January 20, 1942. He entered the service as a private and received regular promotions through the rank of technical sergeant. Having attended navigation school, he received a field commission and served to the rank of captain. As one of the first three aerial navigators in Marine Corps Aviation, he served approximately two years in the Pacific with duties as navigator-bombardier in a Photo Reconnaissance/Patrol Bomber Squadron. He later served as navigation officer on overseas duty with a transport squadron. Of 18 years total military time (regular and reserves), sixteen as a commissioned officer, his duties also included the following:
• Squadron Adjutant
• Company Commander
• Company Executive Officer
• Officer in charge of Intelligence School in Dallas, Texas
• Officer in charge of Air Navigation Schools in San Diego and Guam
• Officer in charge of Intelligence Section for four jet fighter squadrons and two helicopter squadrons in Dallas, and for four jet squadrons in Memphis



Martha E. Howell – Outstanding Staff Member

1. Joined Van Buren School District as Junior High School – part-time secretary 1961
2. Van Buren High School Secretary 1962 – 1964
3. Administrative assistant to the Superintendent June1964 – June1992
a. 1964 Carlton Hasley
b. 1965 – 1967 Robert Stephens
c. 1968 – 1984 James R. Tate
d. 1985 – 1992 Bill Mitchell
4. In the early years she was the only other person in the superintendent’s office. Her job grew with the District.
a. She regularly worked fifty + hours each week. If there was work to be done, she was there even if it meant taking work home.
b. She was extremely loyal and she loved the school district and the people. Any former student or employee that knew her would attest to that.
5. Some of her many duties included:
a. keeping the schedule of the Superintendent,
b. maintaining the books and funds for the entire system as well as the School Board,
c. maintaining and managing staff employment, certification, insurance and retirement records,
d. being called each day by teachers to contact all substitutes, and
e. maintaining a working knowledge of everything associated with the Van Buren School District at all times.
6. Born in Trumann, Arkansas and married to Charles Howell (1942 VBHS graduate) until his death in 1980. They have five children:
a. Jana Laster, 1962 VBHS graduate residing in Fort Smith.
b. Becky Ladd, 1965 VBHS graduate residing in Delaware, Ohio.
c. Charles Howell, 1967 VBHS graduate residing in Van Buren.
d. Cami Brown, 1976 VBHS graduate residing in Van Buren.
e. Kristin Taylor, 1979 VBHS graduate residing in Fort Smith.
7. She has 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren

There was a time if you said, “Superintendent’s office” – Martha Howell was the first person that came to your mind.


Lonnie E. Myers, Ed. D. – Educator

Education
• Graduated from Lincoln High School (1970)
• B.S.S.E. John Brown University (1974)
• M.ED. University of Arkansas (1981)
• Administrator’s Certificate (1991)
• Ed. D. Harding University (2009)

Career
• Farmington School District Teacher/Coach (1974-1975)
• Mountainburg School District Teacher/Coach (1977-1981)
• Van Buren School District
-Teacher/Coach Van Buren High School (1981-1986)
-Assistant Principal Van Buren Junior High School (1986-1992)
-Principal Butterfield Junior High School (1992-1998)
-VBSD Activity/Athletic Director (1998-2001)
-VBSD Assistant Superintendent (2001-2010)
-Mountain Home School District Superintendant (2010- Present)

Professional Memberships
• Arkansas Association of School Business Officials
• Arkansas Association of Education Administrators
• Arkansas Association of Curriculum and Instruction Administrators
• American Association of School Administrators

Achievements
• Board member-Comprehensive Juvenile Services, President 2010
• Board member-Keep Van Buren Beautiful
• Board member-VBSD Education Foundation
• Board member-VBSD Fine Arts Center (FAC) Advisory Board
• Mountainburg High School - Four times honored as the 1A District Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year and/or All Star Coach Nominee.
• Van Buren High School – Three times honored as the District 4AAA Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year and/or All Star Coach Nominee.
• Top team for education at the American Heart Walk in 1999/Company leader.
• 2003 State Award of Merit for AHSAAA.
• 2004-2005 Arkansas Athletic Director of the Year.
• 2002-Honorary Lifetime Membership in Van Buren PTA.


Paul D Gant -Attorney

1964 VBHS Graduate
• Honor Society
• Played football and basketball
• Boy’s State delegate
• Sr. Class Vice-President
University of Arkansas
• BSBA Marketing degree , 1968
• Law School, Juris Doctorate, 1973
Served in U.S. Army Reserve, commissioned as 2nd Lt.
Career
• Private Law Practice in Van Buren, 1973-present
(Serves as attorney for the Van Buren Municipal Utilities and Citizens Bank)
• Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Crawford County, 1973-
• Juvenile Judge for Crawford County, 10 years
• Alma City Judge, 37 years
Achievements and Service
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce President and Rotary Club President, 1976
• Organized and implemented Van Buren Church League Softball, 1977
• Helped to secure support and finances for Girls Softball fields on Kibler Rd.
• Actively serves as a member of First Baptist Church, Van Buren (Deacon, Sunday School Director)
• Building Committees for the Family Life Center, new Worship Center, and renovated Chapel
• Trustee
• Organized and implemented the first VBHS Project Graduation in 1992
• Charter member, board member, and past president of the Van Buren School District Education Foundation
• Holds and has maintained AV rating among lawyers (highest ethical rating and selected by peers)
• Actively involved in the Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly program donating legal services to those in need
• Former advisory board member for the Morgan Nick Foundation
• Actively involved in Class of 64 reunions

Tim Knittig – Chemical Engineer

1986 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Vice President of Student Council
• Vice President of National Honors Society (Attended National Student Council Convention)
• Member of Mu Alpha Theta
• Member of Quiz Bowl
• Member of Basketball (District Champs, Co-conference Champs, 3rd place in Coke Classic, and made playoffs)
• Van Buren Tennis Team
• Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Senior
• Attended Boy’s State in 1985
• Junior Crawford County 4H Boy of the Year
• Volunteered at VB Nursing Home
• Active in youth at St. Michael’s Catholic Church

College: University of Arkansas Fayetteville
• Graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1990
• Summer intern with Shell Oil
• Attended Student Lead Search Retreat
• Athlete of the Week at University of Arkansas for intramural sports

Career
• Shell Oil (1990-2000)
• NIC Holding Corp (2000-present)
• Successful Petroleum Products and Biofuels Trader
• Currently heads Houston, Texas Office

Civic & Community Contributions
• Member of finance council at St. Anthony of Padua (past 5 years)
• President of Board of Catholic High (Currently heading development of new school)
• Originator of Knittig-Vogelpohl Scholarship in 2006 (Donated $40,000 to scholarship fund for VBHS students since 2006)

Family
• Parents are Ed and Annette Knittig
• Married to Heather (Dours) Knittig
• Two children


Angie Evans Benham Ph. D. Professional Achievement Psychologist/Educator

Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1960
• A.A Fort Smith Junior College 1965
• B. A. Psychology Agnes Scott College 1979
• M.S. General Experimental Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology 1983
• Ph. D. General Experimental Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology 1985
• Ph. D. Re-Specialization in Clinical Psychology, Georgia State University 1988
• Clinical Internship Georgia Institute of Technology 1988-1990
• Certification in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy, Atlanta GA 1991
• Certification in Spiritual Direction, Southern Methodist University 2012

Career
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Visiting Assistant Professor 1985-1988
• Teaching assignments at Georgia State, Agnes Scott College, University
Of Arkansas Little Rock at Fort Smith 1984-2000
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Psychologist and Clinical Coordinator 1990-1992
• Ozark Guidance Inc. , Springdale, AR Psychologist 1992-1998
• Private Practice, Fayetteville Arkansas 1992-2001
• Parkside Outpatient Clinic, Tulsa OK Psychologist 2001-2002
• Perspectives Behavioral LLC , Psychologist 2002-2005; 2008
• Private Practice and teaching of ethics, Fort Smith Arkansas 2004-2011
• Deer Oaks Behavioral Health LLC, Psychologist 2011-2013
• Part-time private practice, Psychologist, Rogers, AR 2010-Present performing psychological evaluations and psychotherapy for immigrant
families and others in need
Professional Memberships and Achievements
• Sigma Xi Honorary Scientific Research Society of North America
• Emily Dexter Scholarship Award for Excellence in Psychology Agnes Scott College
• Preston Creative Writing Award Agnes Scott College Writer’s Festival
• Southern Literary Festival (fiction, third place) Louisiana State University
• Mademoiselle Magazine’s Young Woman of the Year, 1958 (leadership, integration crisis)
• Publication : Benham, A.E., Psychological dimensions of aging, In B. Thompson and B. Payne(Eds.) The Statewide Training Model for a Continuing Certificate in Religion and Aging. Atlanta, GA Gerontology Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
• Publication: Stine, Benham, A.E. & Smith, A.D. Visual and semantic organization in picture recall (1987)
Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society, 25 (2), 89-91
• Publication: “Love’s Injunctions” In J. T. Clemons & K. Farr (Eds.) Crisis of Conscience,
Arkansas Methodists and the Civil Rights Struggle, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies,
Little Rock Arkansas (distributor: University of Arkansas Press)


George David Williams Professional Achievement Coach/Educator


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1961
• University of Arkansas Monticello B.S. 1968

Career
• Blytheville High School, Offensive Coordinator 1968-1970
• St. Andrews High School, Charleston South Carolina
Defensive Coordinator 1970-71
• Searcy High School, Assistant Track and Football (Defensive Coordinator 1971-1978
• Carlisle High School, Head Football and Track Coach 1978-1981
• Pocahontas High School, Head Football and Track Coach 1981-2013

Professional Memberships and Achievements
• All-State Lineman Van Buren High School Football 1960
• High School All American Honorable Mention Van Buren High School
Football 1960
• Arkansas AAU Boxing Runner Up 1960
• Arkansas AAU Boxing Champion 1961
• Delta Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Champion 1963
• Mississippi Golden Gloves Heavyweight Boxing Champion 1963
• Mid South Golden Gloves 175lb Champion 1964
• Coach and Educator for 45 Years 1968-2013
• Searcy High School Regional Championships Track 1973, 1975
• Pocahontas High School Football Conference Championships (9) 1988-1990, 1993
2000, 2004-2006
• Pocahontas High School Track Conference Championships (6) 1989, 1990, 1991
1994, 1995, 1996
• Pocahontas High School Conference Coach of the Year (9) 1988, 1990, 1993,
1998, 2000, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006,
• Pocahontas High School K-8 Superteam Coach of the Year 2006
• Pocahontas High School Teacher of the Year 2007
• Pocahontas High School 200th Career Win 2011
• Pocahontas Athletic Facility named Marcus Van Camp/Georg David
Williams Athletic Complex 2000
• State High School All Star Games Coach 1989, 1993, 1997,
Arkansas High School Coaches Association 2007


Dr. J.B. Hays                           Professional Achievement                              Physician

Education

Career

and Affiliation with Washington Regional Medical Center       
And Veteran’s Administration Hospital , Northwest Arkansas Free Health
Center Fayetteville, Arkansas                                                                           1958-

Professional Memberships and Achievements


Jimmy G. Bell

Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1966
• Westark Junior College/Arkansas Tech University
• Arkansas Realtors Institute 1972

Career
• Jimmy Bell Real Estate Company 1976
More than $500 million in sales volume
$60 million in lease volume

Business Boards
• Citizens Bank & Trust Co. –Board of Directors 1988-2014
• Summit Medical Center –Board of Trustees 1996-2014

Civic Boards & Awards
• Van Buren Boys & Girls Club, Board of Directors 1974-1980
• Van Buren Boys & Girls Club, Treasurer 1977-1978
• Van Buren Boys & Girls Club, President 1979-1980
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors 1988-1994
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee 1995-1996
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce,
Industrial Development Comm. 1988-2013
• Arkansas Ducks Unlimited, Conservation Service Award 1992
• Sertoma Club of Van Buren, Service to Mankind Award 1996
• Sam Walton Business Leader Award 1996
• Van Buren Iverson Riggs Memorial, Citizen of the Year 1999
• Van Buren First Baptist
Deacon & Building Committee Chair 1995-2014
Van Buren School District Education Foundation,
Board of Directors 2001-2014
• Van Buren School District Education Foundation,
Executive Com. 2001-2005
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith Foundation
Board of Directors 2007-2014
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith Foundation
Board of Directors, Investment Committee 2008-2014
• University of Arkansas Medical System AHEC Ft. Smith, AR
Advisory Board of Directors 2008-2014


Charlie James

Education
• 1961 Van Buren High School Graduate
• University of Arkansas Monticello Bachelor of Arts

Career
• Graphics Packaging Fort Smith Arkansas 38 years Twenty Six as a Supervisor
• Arkansas United States Army National Guard 142nd Field Artillery
• 11 years achieved rank of Gunnery Sergeant

Civic
• Heritage United Methodist Church
• Heritage Food Bank volunteer

Honors/Awards
• All District Football 1960-1961
• All State Football 1961
• All AIC 1962-1964
• Arkansas Gazette Top Defensive Lineman of the 1960’s Era
• All American Honorable Mention 1963-1964
• Anchored the Best Defensive Team in UAM history coached by Jimmy “Red” Parker and Larry Lacewell
• Inducted into the University of Arkansas Monticello Sports Hall of Fame 2006
• Signed professional Football contracts with the Arkansas Diamonds and Houston Oilers


David Clegg

Education
• 1953 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Texas A and I Bachelor of Science
• Texas A and I Masters of Science
• Texas A and I Superintendent Certification

Career
• Driscoll Independent School District Band Director, Classroom Teacher
• Premont Independent School District Elementary School Principal
• Alpine Independent School District Elementary and High School Principal
• New Summerfield Independent School District Superintendent
• Served several interim Superintendent terms in Texas after retirement

Awards and Achievements
• All State Band Van Buren High School
• All State Basketball Van Buren High School
• Graduation with honors Van Buren High School
• Member of the 1951-53 VBHS state championship Basketball Team

Civic Activities
• Trombonist in Texas A and I band with band scholarship
• Past President Lions International
• Community Center Board of Directors and Chair of Finance Committee
• Heart Fund committee
• March of Dimes Committee
• Athletic Booster Club membership
• Honorary Chapter Farmer
• Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster and Order of the Arrow Scout


Ed Yeager

Education
• 1960 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Arkansas Tech University Bachelor of Science Business Administration

Career
• Yeager Hardware Business 1964-current

Civic Boards/Awards
• Donation of Acreage to construct the Van Buren City Library
• Contribution to Van Buren Boys and Girls Club for expansion project
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year Award
(co-honoree Shirley Yeager)
• River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance Member
• Karen Kay Windsor Award as major supporters of the River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance
• Van Buren Education Foundation Founding Member Donor
• International Board of Directors for True Value Hardware
• Supporter of many local charities and organizations


James Reed M.D.

Education
● 1952 Van Buren High School Graduate
● Westminster College Bachelor of Science
● University of Oklahoma School of Medicine
● University of Oklahoma Medical Center Internship
● Harvard University Medical School Basic Science in Ophthalmology
● Johns Hopkins University Wilmer Ophthalmology Fellowship

Career
● United States Army
● Department of Ophthalmology University of Oklahoma Medical Center Chief Resident
● Private Ophthalmology practice 1963-1993

Missionary Work
● Evaluative physician’s work Baja and Mainland Mexico
● Volunteer Medical Executive Coordinator of Surgical Eye Expeditions
● Medical Missionary Volunteer, Santa Domingo Dominican Republic
● Visiting professor of Ophthalmology, NOOR hospital Kabul Afghanistan

Civic Boards/Awards
● 32nd Degree Mason (Scottish Rite)
● Chairman Jackson County March of Dimes
● Board of Directors, Jackson County chapter of the American Red Cross
● Board of Directors Medford Oregon Day Care Center
● Life Member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
● Published four Scientific Papers on Ophthalmology topics and Dyslexia
● Committee and Board work for Medford Oregon First United Methodist, Santa Barbara California First United Methodist and Palm Desert California First Presbyterian Churches
● Teaching affiliations with Devers Eye Clinic, Portland Oregon and Southern Oregon State College


Kenneth Fry


Education
• 1966 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Westark Junior College

Career
• Southwest Times Record
• News Editor Southwest Times Record evening edition
• Chief News Editor Southwest Times Record
• Press Argus-Courier
• Editor, Press Argus-Courier

Business Awards
• Press Argus-Courier has won more than 150 awards including
41 first place awards since 2001
• Press Argus-Courier has won 5 General Excellence Awards Arkansas
Press Association

Civic Boards/Awards
• Leadership Crawford County Graduate 2006
• Van Buren Chamber of Commercce Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year 2012
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Van Buren Chamber Board President 2013
• Outstanding Preservation in the Media Award from Historic Preservation Alliance 2010
• Van Buren Kiwanis Club
• Van Buren Kiwanis Club Kiwanian of the year 2011
• Van Buren Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors
• Crawford County Court Appointed Special Advocates
• Keep Van Buren Beautiful Committee


Michael Norwood Sr.


Education
• 1972 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Ouachita Baptist University Bachelor of Science
• Arkansas Tech University Master of Education

Career
Van Buren School District
• Butterfield Junior High teaching Alternative School
• Central Middle School teaching 5th-6th grade P.E.
• Northridge Middle School teaching 5th-6th grade P.E.
• Coleman Junior High as Head Football Coach
Fort Smith School District
• Substitute Teacher
• Director of Belle Point Center
• Assistant Principal at Kimmons
• Saturday School Instructor
City of Van Buren and Fort Smith
• Past Executive Director of Van Buren Boys & Girls Club
• Manager of Creekmore Pool

Service/Awards
• Full Scholarship to play football at Ouachita Baptist University
• Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
• Assistant Coach, 1996 Van Buren Pointer State Champion Football team
• Assistant Coach, 1999 Van Buren Pointer Basketball State Runner up
• Lifelong Member and Deacon at Greater Pilgrim Baptist Church
• Van Buren Kiwanis Club
• Van Buren Lions Club

United States Army
• United States Air Force Reserve Retired Rank of Major
• Commander of Biloxi U.S. Air Force Base


Mike Hurst D.D.S


Education
• 1967 Van Buren High School Graduate
• Ouachita Baptist University Bachelor of Science Pre Dentistry
• University of Tennessee Dental School Doctor of Dental Surgery

Career
• Public Health Dental Service Dresden Tennessee
• Criswell Dental Clinic 38 year Dental Health Practice
• Staff Member for Crawford County Hospital

Business Boards
• Life Member of the Arkansas State Dental Association
• Life Member of American Dental Association
• Chairman of Children’s Dental Health Month Van Buren

Civic Boards/Awards
• Student Council President JJ Izard Junior High
• American Legion Arkansas Boy’s State Representative VBHS
• Alfred Wallace National Honor Society President VBHS
• Varsity Pointer Basketball and Football
• Outstanding Senior Award 1967
• Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Fraternity
• Blue Key Honor Fraternity Beta Beta Ouachita Social Club
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Van Buren School District Board of Directors
• Van Buren Boy’s and Girl’s Club Board of Directors
• Van Buren Rotary Board of Directors
• Ouachita Baptist University Development Board
• First Baptist Van Buren Deacon and Deacon Board Chair
• First Baptist Van Buren Pastor Search Committee
• First Baptist Van Buren Board of Trustees
• First Baptist Van Buren Sunday School Teacher 40 years
• First Baptist Van Buren Youth Camp coordinator


Robert David “Bob” Freeman Outstanding Contributions and Civic Achievement Military/Government


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1973
• ROTC Scholarship University of Oklahoma
• Bachelor of Business Administration University of Oklahoma
• Master of Science Florida Institute of Technology
• Graduate, Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS
• Graduate, Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, VA

Career
• Commissioned First Lieutenant of Artillery 1977
• Numerous Troop and Staff Assignments
• Retired at rank of Lieutenant Colonel 1997
• Lending officer, Citizen’s Bank and Trust
• Three term Mayor of Van Buren 2007-2018

Awards and Achievements
• 2005 Volunteer of the Year Heritage Methodist Church
• 2003 Van Buren Community Volunteer of the Year

Civic Activities
• Chairman of the Van Buren Planning Commission
• Member Van Buren Municipal Auditorium Commission
• Member, Heritage Methodist Church
• Lay Leader, Heritage Methodist Church
• Member and Past President, Van Buren Rotary Club
• Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
• Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• Chairman CASA Board of Directors
• 2004-2005 United Way Crawford County Coordinator
• Member and past Chairman, Main Street Board of Directors
• Graduate, Leadership Fort Smith


Delores “Dee” Cox Outstanding Contributions Coaching/Physical Education


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1960
• Attended University of Arkansas

Career
• Tennis Pro, Ridgeway Tennis Center
• Tennis Director and Head Pro at Wimbeldon Sportssplex, Memphis Tennessee Largest
Indoor sports club in the South
• USPTA, USPTR and USTA Umpire
• Head of Tennessee USTA Junior Public Parks Clinics
• USTA Southern Tennis Tournament Director (over 400 competitors)
• Supervisor of ball girls and boys for Memphis Professional Tournaments
• Van Buren Head Tennis Pro at Public facility
• USTA Coach for league teams 8 state tournament championships 2 runners up

Awards and Achievements
• USTA Tennessee Pro of the Year
• 2007 Arkansas USTA Victor Sheshunoff Education Award
• 2013 Arkansas USTA Barbara Brewer Meritorious Education Award

Civic Activities
• St. Jude family support in Memphis with family tennis lessons as therapy
• Memphis Police Department at-risk youth tennis program
• Special Olympics tennis coach
• Volunteer coach with four Memphis school teams
• First Serve program volunteer
• Summer Tennis clinic for K-12 students Volunteer
• PE volunteer to introduce tennis to elementary school children
• Volunteer coach for VBHS tennis team
• Volunteer coach for VB Junior High tennis
• Volunteer Umpire for Van Buren Tennis program
• Assistant director of Van Buren Junior Tennis tournament
• Fort Smith tournament volunteer
• USTA State Secretary for Arkansas USTA Pros
• Volunteer for Walk a Mile in her Shoes event
• Volunteer for Project Graduation


John H. Wikman MD Outstanding post-high school Career Medicine


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1952
• Co-Valedictorian, VBHS Class of ‘52
• Bachelor of Science, Ouachita Baptist University
• Medical Doctorate, University of Arkansas School of Medicine

Career
• Intern at Confederate Memorial Medical Center, Shreveport Louisiana
• Medical Officer, United States Army, Fort Bliss Texas
• General Surgery Residency, University of Arkansas Medical Center
• Instructor of Surgery, University of Arkansas Medical School
• Holt Krock Clinic 1976-1995
• Chief of Surgery, Sparks Hospital, pioneering laparoscopic surgery techniques
• Chairman of Credentials Committee, Sparks Hospital
• Chief of Staff, Sparks Medical Center
• Surgeon, St. Edward Mercy Medical Center
• Staff Surgeon, Crawford Memorial Hospital

Awards and Achievements
• Member, Alpha Chi College Honor Society and Alpha Omega Honorary Medical Society
• Diplomat, American Board of Surgery
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons

Civic Activities
• Medical Missionary, Southern Baptist Convention 1967-1975 India and Gaza
• Chief of Staff of the Baptist Hospital Gaza Serving Four Hundred Thousand
Palestinians
• Founder of the Bangalore Baptist Hospital, Bangalore India
• President of Sebastian County Medical Society
• Served in nine short term medical missionary trips to India, Ghana and Yemen


Charles E. Martin Outstanding Post High School Career Outstanding Achievements


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1969
• President of the FCA, NHS & Mu Alpha Theta
• Lettered in Football & Basketball
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Arkansas 1974

Military Career
• Distinguished Military Graduate, Dept. of Army Reserve Officers Training Corps
• Honor Graduate, United States Army Engineer Officer Basic School
• Army Ranger School, Fort Benning, GA
• Airborne Ranger Medal, Fort Benning, GA
• Reconnaissance Officer, Platoon Leader, Assistant S-3; 39th Engineering Battalion,
Fort Devens, MA
• Advanced Officer Training Course, Fort Belvoir, VA
• Captain, Honorable Discharge, United States Army, 1979

Career
• Engineering Test Manager at General Electric Corporation in Cincinnati, OH
• Engineer at Thermal Engineering Company, Inc. in Tulsa, OK
• Owner of Thermal Engineering Company, Inc.
• Society of Professional Engineers License in Oklahoma & Texas
• Principal of Orcutt Development and Nordic Corporation in Tulsa, OK

Awards and Achievements
• Chosen for Boys State
• September Citizen of the Month
• Won the Bausch and Lomb Science Award
• Army R.O.T.C. Scholarship Award, 1969
• Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity, Upsilon Chapter, 1971
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Distinguished Scholarship, 1974
• Blue Key Honor Society, 1974

Civic Activities
• Cub Scout Pack Master, Boys Scouts of America, Troop 173, School of St. Mary in Tulsa
(his three sons each attained the rank of Eagle Scout)
• Board of Directors for the Finance Committee at Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa
• Principal sponsor for fund raising $320k for the Bishop Kelley Sports Complex
• Auction Underwriting Chairman for Bishop Kelley High School
• Member of the Church of St. Mary Catholic Church in Tulsa


Dan R. Ballard Outstanding Post High School Career Professional Career


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1964
• Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineer, University of Arkansas 1976
• Computer Science, University of Oklahoma 1976
• Computer Science, Arizona State University 1987

Career
• Electronics Engineer
• Member of Technical Staff at Motorola
• Program Manager at Knowledge Based Solutions, Titan Corporation
• Manager of Software Development at Science Applications International Corp.
• Vice President of Engineering and Co-Founder of Reticular Systems, Inc.
• Co-Founder, Director, and President/CEO of Reticular Systems, Inc.
• Co-Founder, Director, and Vice President of Enable Ventures, Inc.
• Founder, Director, President/CEO of Acronymics, Inc.
• Chief Engineer of Fauxsee Innovations, LLC

Awards and Achievements
• Nominated and awarded a Member of Technical Staff at Motorola
• Motorola Scientific & Technical Society Award for Advanced Microprocessor Implementations
• Motorola Scientific & Technical Society Award for Emulating Computer Architecture Design
• Holds the following patents:
1. Computer Emulation Architecture – Patent No. 4,638,423
2. Real-time Rule-based Processing System – Patent No. 5,487,134
3. Net List generation for a Rule Base – Patent No. 5,638,493
4. Expert System Inference Circuit – Patent No. 5,720,006
5. Test System with Inference Circuit – Patent No. 5,737,497
• Has numerous publications in the technical and engineering field

Civic Activities
• Served as Adjunct Professor at many educational institutions
• Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at West Coast University, San Diego, CA
• Adjunct Professor of Electrical Engineering at Tulsa University
• Instructor for Tulsa County Vocational Education System


Mary Beth Duncan              Outstanding Contributions              Teacher


Education

Career

Awards and Achievements

Civic Activities


Quince H. Coleman Outstanding Contributions Coach/Teacher

Education
• Alma High School Graduate 1964
• Associates of Art Degree, Westark Community College 1966
• Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Central Arkansas 1968
• Masters of Science in Education, University of Central Arkansas 1973

Career
• Mabelvale Junior High Coach and Teacher
• Van Buren Junior High Coach and Teacher, 1974-1978
• Van Buren High School Coach and Teacher, 1978-2009
• Head Basketball Coach for the Pointers from 1978-1994
• Assistant Football Coach, Defensive Backs, from 1978-2004
• Assistant Baseball Coach from 1995-2009
• Head Tennis Coach in 1981
• Taught many subjects such as Physical Education, Health, United States History, World History, United States Government and Arkansas History for 40 years

Awards and Achievements
• Mr. Alma High School in 1964
• Played College Baseball at Westark and University of Central Arkansas
• As the Head Basketball Coach in Van Buren
o Won Six Conference Championships and Seven District Titles
o Competed in Ten Regional Tournaments and Four State Tournaments
o 1981 State Champion Runner-Ups
o Arkansas All-Star Assistant Coach in 1981
o Selected Four Times as the Conference Coach of the Year
• Defensive Back Coach of the 1996 State Football Championship Team

Civic Activities
• Active member of First Baptist Church in Van Buren for 44 years
• Serves as an Usher at First Baptist Church


Sharon Glass Daniels Outstanding Contributions Civic Achievements


Education
• Van Buren High School Graduate 1968
• Associates of Applied Science in Secretarial Science, Westark Community College 1978

Career
• Reporter for the Southwest Times Record
• Secretary in the Public Information Office and Office of the Vice President at Westark Community College
• Sales Secretary for KHBS-TV and KPOM-TV
• Music Secretary and Children’s Choir Coordinator at Grand Avenue Baptist Church
• Sales Representative for Omega Sound Recording Studio
• Retired as a Specialist in the Financial Aid Department at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith 2015

Awards and Achievements
• VBHS Senior Award in the Future Teachers Association
• Officer of the VBHS National Quill & Scroll Honor Society
• Awards as the Associate Editor of the VBHS Pointer Trail (school newspaper) from the Arkansas High School Press Association
• Founding member and officer of the VBHS Partners In Christ Club
• Officer in the VBHS Mixed Chorus Choir
• Member of the VBHS Pep Squad
• Senior Maid of Honor in the VBHS Basketball Homecoming
• Second runner-up in the 1970 Miss Van Buren Pageant
• On August 12, 2002, Fort Smith Mayor Ray Baker proclaimed it Mike and Sharon Daniels Day in observance of their 25th anniversary
• Volunteers of the Year in 2006 for the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair
• Numerous awards in sales with Christmas Around the World
• Won awards for sales and recruitment in AVON for 17 years
• On December 10, 2015, Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders proclaimed it Mike and Sharon Daniels Day in observance of their retirement from UAFS

Civic Activities
• Co-director of the Dr. Pepper Entertainment Stage for the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair and the Old Fort Days Rodeo 1998-2006
• Committee member with the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair Youth Talent Contest
• Volunteer for the Miss Westark Community College, Miss Sebastian County and Miss Western Arkansas Pageants
• Donations to the UAFS Foundation for future scholarships in Men’s Basketball
• Donations to renovate the UAFS Men’s Basketball locker room, which is now recognized as the Mike and Sharon Daniels Locker Room


Debbie James Thomas Outstanding Contributions Civic Achievements

Education Activities and Contributions Civic Achievements

Gary Deffenbaugh Outstanding Achievements Coach/Teacher Education Career Awards and Achievements Civic Activities Married to his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Yeager, for 48 years and they have two children (April and Matt), a son-in-law (Howard) and daughter-in-law (Rachel).

Philip Henry Brodie Outstanding Achievements & Post High School Career Education Career Awards and Achievements

Holly Brown (Wilson) Outstanding Achievements Education Career Awards and Achievements Civic Activities

Married to Mark Brown for 35 years; two sons Ethan and wife Shaina; Jacob and wife Haleigh; two grandchildren Emerson and Lucas; parents Tommy and Judy Wilson, who were always 100% with me in any endeavor I undertook.


Teddy McMurray Outstanding Contributions & Service Teacher

Education

Career Awards and Achievements Civic Activities

Col. George T. Hudgens Outstanding Post High School Career Outstanding Achievements

Education

Military Education Military Career Career Awards and Achievements